Respiratory Tract Infections in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients Taking Vedolizumab: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Safety and Monitoring of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Advanced Therapies

The recent approval of new medications with novel mechanisms of action and emergence of updated safety information for existing therapies has changed the treatment landscape of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). These advances led to unique adverse effect profiles and identification of new safety signals, resulting in the evolution of the safety, monitoring, and positioning of IBD therapies. In this updated review, we (1) examine the existing and updated safety data of monoclonal antibodies and small molecules for IBD, with a focus on recently Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved therapies, and (2) propose risk stratification and assessment considerations prior to and during IBD treatment.

Emerging oral drug options for ulcerative colitis

INTRODUCTION

Despite the availability of a variety of therapeutic compounds and improved management strategies, one-third of UC patients with moderate-to-severe disease do not benefit from the existing treatments or experience drug-related side effects. This has boosted intensive research focusing on the development of new drugs for UC therapy. This article aims to summarize the available evidence on oral drugs, which are now being explored in clinical trials or are ready to enter the clinics.

AREAS COVERED

From May 15 to June 11, we searched on PubMed using the keywords 'oral drugs ulcerative colitis,' 'ulcerative colitis clinical trials,' 'UC phase 2 and 3 trials' excluding case reports, case series, phase 1 and 4 studies, and studies about approved therapies.

EXPERT OPINION

The findings discussed in this article suggest that the future treatment of UC patients will be probably characterized by the possibility of using various small-molecule drugs. All these new compounds, even those belonging to the same class, differ in terms of efficacy and safety. Identification of predictors of response could help optimize the efficacy and safety of these treatments, thus improving resource allocation through a pretreatment stratification of patients.

Lung Involvement in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Shared Pathways and Unwanted Connections

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are chronic, relapsing inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, frequently associated with extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs) that can severely affect IBD patients' quality of life, sometimes even becoming life-threatening. Respiratory diseases have always been considered a rare and subsequently neglected extraintestinal manifestations of IBD. However, increasing evidence has demonstrated that respiratory involvement is frequent in IBD patients, even in the absence of respiratory symptoms. Airway inflammation is the most common milieu of IBD-related involvement, with bronchiectasis being the most common manifestation. Furthermore, significant differences in prevalence and types of involvement are present between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The same embryological origin of respiratory and gastrointestinal tissue, in addition to exposure to common antigens and cytokine networks, may all play a potential role in the respiratory involvement. Furthermore, other causes such as drug-related toxicity and infections must always be considered. This article aims at reviewing the current evidence on the association between IBD and respiratory diseases. The purpose is to raise awareness of respiratory manifestation among IBD specialists and emphasize the need for identifying respiratory diseases in early stages to promptly treat these conditions, avoid worsening morbidity, and prevent lung damage.

Vedolizumab-associated pulmonary manifestations in children with ulcerative colitis

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE

The off-label use of vedolizumab (VDZ) for inflammatory bowel disease in children is increasing. We report on possibly the first case of VDZ-associated pulmonary manifestations in paediatrics.

CASE SUMMARY

This report details the case of a 13-year-old child with ulcerative colitis who was initiated on VDZ due to persistent active disease. After the first three doses, he developed a persistent and productive cough. Microbiological work-up was normal. VDZ discontinuation led to the resolution of symptoms.

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, this is the first case report of VDZ-associated pulmonary manifestations in paediatrics. A direct, pro-inflammatory effect of VDZ has been hypothesized, but further studies are warranted.