POS1217 ANTI-TNF THERAPY FOR IMMUNE MEDIATED INFLAMMATORY DISEASES MAY BE ASSOCIATED WITH LOWER ANTIBODY LEVELS AND VIRUS NEUTRALIZATION EFFICACY FOLLOWING SARS-CoV-2 mRNA VACCINATION

Background

The impact of immunosuppressants on COVID-19 vaccination response and durability in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMID) is yet to be fully characterized. Humoral response may be attenuated in these patients especially those on B cell depleting therapy and higher doses of corticosteroids, but data regarding other immunosuppressants are scarce.

Objectives

We aimed to investigate antibody and T cell responses and durability to SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines (BNT162b and/or mRNA 1273) in IMID patients on immunomodulatory maintenance therapy other than B-cell depleting therapy and corticosteroids.

Methods

This prospective observational cohort study examined the immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines in adult patients with IMIDs (psoriatic arthritis, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis) with or without maintenance immunosuppressive therapies (anti-TNF, methotrexate/azathioprine [MTX/AZA], anti-TNF + MTX/AZA, anti IL12/23, anti-IL-17, anti-IL23) compared to healthy controls. Automated ELISA for IgGs to spike trimer, spike receptor binding domain (RBD) and the nucleocapsid (NP) and T-cell release of 9 cytokines (IFNg, IL2, IL4, IL17A, TNF) and cytotoxic molecules (sFasL, GzmA, GzmB, Perforinin) in cell culture supernatants following stimulation with spike or NP peptide arrays were conducted at 4 time points: T1=pre vaccination, T2=median 26 days after dose 1, T3=median 16 days after dose 2 and T4=median 106 days after dose 2. Neutralization assays against four SARS-CoV-2 variants (wild type, delta, beta and gamma) were conducted at T3.

Results

We followed 150 subjects: 26 healthy controls and 124 IMID patients: 9 untreated, 44 on anti-TNF, 16 on anti-TNF with MTX/AZA, 10 on anti-IL23, 28 on anti-IL12/23, 9 on anti-IL17, 8 on MTX/AZA (Table 1). Most patients mounted antibody and T cell responses with increases from dose 1 to dose 2 (100% seroconversion at T3) and some decline by T4, with variability within groups. Antibody levels and neutralization efficacy was lower in anti-TNFgroups (anti-TNF, anti-TNF + MTX/AZA) compared to controls and waned by T4 (Figure 1). T cell responses were not consistently different between groups. Pooled data showed a higher antibody response to mRNA-1273 compared to BNT162b.

Table 1.

Baseline characteristics of study participants

Controluntreated IMIDAnti- TNFAnti- TNF +MTX/AZAAnti-IL-23Anti -IL-12/23Anti -IL-17MTX/AZAn=26n=9n=44n=16n=10n=28n=9n=8p-valueIMID*N/A IBD9301002704 Psoriasis1318122 PA0732172 AS0830010 RA1100011Age median years [IQR]36 [26-46]33 [27-41]38 [30-51]53 [44-59]48 [45-61]34 [28-47]49 [46-61]42 [31-55]<0.001^Sex male (%)16 (62)5 (56)18 (41)8 (50)5 (50)13 (46)6 (67)4 (50)0.772~BMImedian kg/m2 [IQR]25 [23-28]26 [22-27]22 [24-26]26 [24-28]27 [24-35]22 [21-24]32 [26-34]26[25-33]0.001^Vaccine interval median days [IQR]74 [35-84]54 [31-64]60 [45-69]64 [50-72]74 [35-84]62 [49-69]65 [52-75]58 [21-97]0.372^

*multiple IMIDs per patient possible

Figure 1.

Antibody responses (A) Anti spike and anti RBD IgG levels at indicated time points. Blue line represents median ratio in convalescent patients. The red line is the seropositivity threshold: the median antibody level of those that pass both a 1% false positive rate and show ≥3SD from the log means of the negative controls. (B) Relative ratio of RBD, spike and NP across time. Black and gray lines indicate median and mean values, respectively. *p≤0.05, **p≤0.01, ***p≤0.001, ****p≤0.0001

Conclusion

Following 2 doses of mRNA vaccination there is 100% seroconversion in IMID patients on maintenance therapy. Antibody levels and neutralization efficacy in anti-TNF group are lower than controls, and wane substantially by 3 months after dose 2. These findings highlight the need for third dose in patients undergoing treatment with anti-TNF therapy and continued monitoring of immunity in these patient groups, taking into consideration newer variants and additional vaccine doses.

Acknowledgements

This work was funded by a donation from Juan and Stefania Speck and by grants VR-1 172711, VS1-175545, FDN-143250, GA1- 177703 and GA2- 177716, from Canadian Institutes of Health Research and COVID Immunity task force and by Sinai Health Foundation

Disclosure of Interests

Naomi Finkelstein: None declared, Roya M. Dayam: None declared, Jaclyn Law: None declared, Rogier Goetgebuer: None declared, Gary Chao: None declared, Kento T. Abe: None declared, Mitchell Sutton: None declared, Joanne M. Stempak: None declared, Daniel Pereira: None declared, David Croitoru: None declared, Lily Acheampong: None declared, Saima Rizwan: None declared, Klaudia Rymaszewski: None declared, Raquel Milgrom: None declared, Darshini Ganatra: None declared, Nathalia V. Batista: None declared, Melanie Girard: None declared, Irene Lau: None declared, Ryan Law: None declared, Michelle Cheung: None declared, Bhavisha Rathod: None declared, Julia Kitaygorodsky: None declared, Reuben Samson: None declared, Queenie Hu: None declared, Nigil Haroon: None declared, Robert Inman Consultant of: AbbVie, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis., Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Novartis, Vincent Piguet Consultant of: AbbVie, Almirall, Celgene, Janssen, Kyowa Kirin Co. Ltd, LEO Pharma,

Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi, UCB, and Union Therapeutic, Grant/research support from: Unrestricted educational grants from AbbVie, Bausch Health, Celgene, Janssen, LEO Pharma, Lilly, L’Oréal, NAOS, Novartis, Pfizer, Pierre-Fabre, Sandoz, and Sanofi, Mark Silverberg Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Janssen, Takeda, Pfizer, Gilead and Amgen, Consultant of: AbbVie, Janssen, Takeda, Pfizer, Gilead and Amgen, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Janssen, Takeda, Pfizer, Gilead and Amgen, Anne-Claude Grigras: None declared, Tania H. Watts: None declared, Vinod Chandran Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, BMS, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer and UCB, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, Eli-Lilly.

The Toronto IBD Global Endoscopic Reporting [TIGER] Score: A Single, Easy to Use Endoscopic Score for Both Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis Patients

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

We constructed the Toronto IBD Global Endoscopic Reporting [TIGER] score for inflammatory bowel disease [IBD]. The aim of our study was to develop and validate the TIGER score against faecal calprotectin [FC], C-reactive protein [CRP], and IBD Disk.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was performed among 113 adult patients (60 Crohn's disease [CD] and 53 ulcerative colitis [UC]). In the development and usability phase, blinded IBD experts reviewed and graded ileocolonoscopy videos. In the validity phase the TIGER score was compared with: [1] the Simple endoscopic Score for CD [SES-CD] and the Mayo endoscopic score in CD and UC, respectively; [2] FC and CRP; and [3] IBD Disk.

RESULTS

Inter-observer reliability of the TIGER score per segment between reviewers was excellent: interclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.94 [95% CI: 0.92-0.96]. For CD patients, overall agreement per segment between SES-CD and TIGER was 91% [95% CI: 84-95] with kappa coefficient 0.77 [95% CI: 0.63-0.91]. There was a significant correlation between TIGER and CRP [p <0.0083], and TIGER and FC [p <0.0001]. In addition, there was significant correlation between TIGER and IBD Disk [p <0.0001]. For UC patients, overall agreement per segment between Mayo endoscopic score and TIGER was 84% [95% CI: 74%-90%] and kappa coefficient 0.60 [95% CI: 0.42-0.808]. There was a significant correlation between TIGER and FC [p <0.0001]. There was a significant correlation between TIGER and IBD Disk [p <0.0001].

CONCLUSIONS

The TIGER score is a reliable and simple novel endoscopic score that can be used for both CD and UC patients and captures full endoscopic disease burden.

The Toronto IBD Global Endoscopic Reporting [TIGER] Score: A Single, Easy to Use Endoscopic Score for Both Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis Patients

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

We constructed the Toronto IBD Global Endoscopic Reporting [TIGER] score for inflammatory bowel disease [IBD]. The aim of our study was to develop and validate the TIGER score against faecal calprotectin [FC], C-reactive protein [CRP], and IBD Disk.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was performed among 113 adult patients (60 Crohn's disease [CD] and 53 ulcerative colitis [UC]). In the development and usability phase, blinded IBD experts reviewed and graded ileocolonoscopy videos. In the validity phase the TIGER score was compared with: [1] the Simple endoscopic Score for CD [SES-CD] and the Mayo endoscopic score in CD and UC, respectively; [2] FC and CRP; and [3] IBD Disk.

RESULTS

Inter-observer reliability of the TIGER score per segment between reviewers was excellent: interclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.94 [95% CI: 0.92-0.96]. For CD patients, overall agreement per segment between SES-CD and TIGER was 91% [95% CI: 84-95] with kappa coefficient 0.77 [95% CI: 0.63-0.91]. There was a significant correlation between TIGER and CRP [p <0.0083], and TIGER and FC [p <0.0001]. In addition, there was significant correlation between TIGER and IBD Disk [p <0.0001]. For UC patients, overall agreement per segment between Mayo endoscopic score and TIGER was 84% [95% CI: 74%-90%] and kappa coefficient 0.60 [95% CI: 0.42-0.808]. There was a significant correlation between TIGER and FC [p <0.0001]. There was a significant correlation between TIGER and IBD Disk [p <0.0001].

CONCLUSIONS

The TIGER score is a reliable and simple novel endoscopic score that can be used for both CD and UC patients and captures full endoscopic disease burden.

Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis: a Canadian institution's experience

BACKGROUND

We aimed to summarize the outcomes of ulcerative colitis (UC) patients receiving an ileal pouch-anal anastamosis (IPAA) over an 11-year period at a high-volume Canadian inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) center.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was performed for subjects with UC who underwent IPAA between 2002 and 2013. Patient charts were reviewed for demographic data, clinical characteristics, preoperative medical treatment, and surgical outcomes. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression modeling were used to determine significant factors in postoperative outcomes.

RESULTS

Seven hundred fifty-eight were included from the IBD database. The median age at the time of surgery was 37.1 (±12.1). Mean preoperative disease duration was 8.1 years (±8.7). Three hundred sixty-nine patients (48.7 %) had systemic corticosteroids (>15 mg/day) within 30 days prior to surgery. Of these, 286 patients had high dose (>30 mg/day) corticosteroids within 7 days of their first surgery. One hundred nine (14.0 %) IPAA procedures were performed laparoscopically. Pelvic pouches were created in traditional 2 (n = 460) and 3 (n = 285) stages; the remainder (n = 13) was performed in non-traditional staged operations. Early complications, defined as occurring within the same stay in hospital, consisted of pelvic abscess (n = 135, 17.8 %), small bowel obstruction (n = 134, 17.7 %), wound infection (n = 108, 14.3 %), and deep vein thrombosis (n = 33, 4.4 %). The overall pouch leak rate was 92 (12.1 %). There was one death in our study. The median length of stay was 10.3 days (SD6.0). Late complications, defined as occurring after discharge from hospital, consisted of anal stricture (n = 55, 7.3 %), pouch fistula (n = 26, 3.4 %), and functional pouch failure (n = 7, 0.9 %).

CONCLUSIONS

IPAA has been found to be a safe and effective method of surgical management of UC patients in a high-volume IBD center.

A protein-truncating R179X variant in RNF186 confers protection against ulcerative colitis

Protein-truncating variants protective against human disease provide in vivo validation of therapeutic targets. Here we used targeted sequencing to conduct a search for protein-truncating variants conferring protection against inflammatory bowel disease exploiting knowledge of common variants associated with the same disease. Through replication genotyping and imputation we found that a predicted protein-truncating variant (rs36095412, p.R179X, genotyped in 11,148 ulcerative colitis patients and 295,446 controls, MAF=up to 0.78%) in RNF186, a single-exon ring finger E3 ligase with strong colonic expression, protects against ulcerative colitis (overall P=6.89 × 10(-7), odds ratio=0.30). We further demonstrate that the truncated protein exhibits reduced expression and altered subcellular localization, suggesting the protective mechanism may reside in the loss of an interaction or function via mislocalization and/or loss of an essential transmembrane domain.

A role for TENM1 mutations in congenital general anosmia

Congenital general anosmia (CGA) is a neurological disorder entailing a complete innate inability to sense odors. While the mechanisms underlying vertebrate olfaction have been studied in detail, there are still gaps in our understanding of the molecular genetic basis of innate olfactory disorders. Applying whole-exome sequencing to a family multiply affected with CGA, we identified three members with a rare X-linked missense mutation in the TENM1 (teneurin 1) gene (ENST00000422452:c.C4829T). In Drosophila melanogaster, TENM1 functions in synaptic-partner-matching between axons of olfactory sensory neurons and target projection neurons and is involved in synapse organization in the olfactory system. We used CRISPR-Cas9 system to generate a Tenm1 disrupted mouse model. Tenm1(-/-) and point-mutated Tenm1(A) (/A) adult mice were shown to have an altered ability to locate a buried food pellet. Tenm1(A) (/A) mice also displayed an altered ability to sense aversive odors. Results of our study, that describes a new Tenm1 mouse, agree with the hypothesis that TENM1 has a role in olfaction. However, additional studies should be done in larger CGA cohorts, to provide statistical evidence that loss-of-function mutations in TENM1 can solely cause the disease in our and other CGA cases.

Higher Adalimumab Drug Levels are Associated with Mucosal Healing in Patients with Crohn's Disease

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The current approach to managing the loss of response to anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) agents is generally empirical. Prior studies have suggested that adalimumab levels of >4.9 µg/mL are required to achieve clinical remission. Our aim was to identify an optimal adalimumab level to achieve endoscopic healing in Crohn's disease (CD).

METHODS

A cohort of 60 CD patients treated with adalimumab between 2005 and 2013 were reviewed for the study. Demographic and clinical information was obtained from chart review and patient interview. Disease activity was determined using the Harvey-Bradshaw index (HBI), ileocolonoscopy reports and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Clinical remission was defined as HBI <5. Endoscopic remission/mucosal healing (MH) was defined as the absence of any ulceration in all ileocolonic segments. Trough adalimumab levels and adalimumab antibody levels were tested using a liquid-phase mobility shift assay.

RESULTS

Lower median CRP was significantly associated with MH 1.2mg/dl vs no MH 14.4mg/dl (p = 6.93×10(-6)). Higher adalimumab trough level was significantly associated with MH (median 14.7 µg/mL in those with MH vs 3.4 µg/mL in those without, p = 6.25×10(-5)). Higher adalimumab trough level was also significantly associated with the combined outcome of clinical and endoscopic remission (median 13.0 vs 4.8 µg/mL, p = 5.36×10(-3)). A cut-off of 8.14 µg/ml best discriminated subjects with MH from those without MH, with sensitivity and specificity of 91.4 and 76.0%, respectively (positive and negative predictive values 84.2 and 86.4%, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Higher adalimumab levels were significantly associated with MH. This study suggests that attaining MH alone or a combined outcome of clinical and endoscopic remission is more likely to occur in those patients who achieve an adalimumab trough level of at least 8.14 μg/mL.

A validated web-based tool to display individualised Crohn's disease predicted outcomes based on clinical, serologic and genetic variables

BACKGROUND

Early treatment for Crohn's disease (CD) with immunomodulators and/or anti-TNF agents improves outcomes in comparison to a slower 'step up' algorithm. However, there remains a limited ability to identify those who would benefit most from early intensive therapy.

AIM

To develop a validated, individualised, web-based tool for patients and clinicians to visualise individualised risks for developing Crohn's disease complications.

METHODS

A well-characterised cohort of adult patients with CD was analysed. Available data included: demographics; clinical characteristics; serologic immune responses; NOD2 status; time from diagnosis to complication; and medication exposure. Cox proportional analyses were performed to model the probability of developing a CD complication over time. The Cox model was validated externally in two independent CD cohorts. Using system dynamics analysis (SDA), these results were transformed into a simple graphical web-based display to show patients their individualised probability of developing a complication over a 3-year period.

RESULTS

Two hundered and forty three CD patients were included in the final model of which 142 experienced a complication. Significant variables in the multivariate Cox model included small bowel disease (HR 2.12, CI 1.05-4.29), left colonic disease (HR 0.73, CI 0.49-1.09), perianal disease (HR 4.12, CI 1.01-16.88), ASCA (HR 1.35, CI 1.16-1.58), Cbir (HR 1.29, CI 1.07-1.55), ANCA (HR 0.77, CI 0.62-0.95), and the NOD2 frameshift mutation/SNP13 (HR 2.13, CI 1.33-3.40). The Harrell's C (concordance index for predictive accuracy of the model) = 0.73. When applied to the two external validation cohorts (adult n = 109, pediatric n = 392), the concordance index was 0.73 and 0.75, respectively, for adult and pediatric patients.

CONCLUSIONS

A validated, web-based tool has been developed to display an individualised predicted outcome for adult patients with Crohn's disease based on clinical, serologic and genetic variables. This tool can be used to help providers and patients make personalised decisions about treatment options.