Introduction

Filgotinib (FIL) is a once-daily, oral, Janus kinase 1 preferential inhibitor approved for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). Previous analyses of data from the phase 2b/3 SELECTION trial (NCT02914522) demonstrated that FIL 200 mg (FIL200) improved health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and led to comprehensive disease control (comprising clinical, biomarker, HRQoL and endoscopic improvements) in patients with UC.¹

Aims & Methods

We evaluated individual Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ) item data from SELECTION to assess which items drive the benefits of FIL treatment. In SELECTION, adults with moderately to severely active UC were randomized 2:2:1 to receive FIL200, FIL 100 mg or PBO once daily for 11 weeks in Induction Studies A and B (biologic-naive and -experienced patients, respectively). Patients who responded to FIL were rerandomized 2:1 to continue their induction FIL dose in the 47-week Maintenance Study. In this post hoc analysis, standardized effect sizes (SES) were calculated to evaluate the relative magnitude of the difference in mean scores of individual IBDQ items at week 10 (W10) between FIL200 versus PBO-treated patients, and at week 58 (W58) between patients who continued FIL200 treatment (FIL200→FIL200) versus those who were rerandomized to PBO (FIL200→PBO). SES were also calculated for the mean change in score of individual IBDQ items from baseline to W10, and from maintenance baseline to W58. SES were categorized by Cohen’s thresholds (‘trivial’ [<0.2]; ‘small’ [≥0.2–<0.5]; ‘moderate’ [≥0.5–<0.8]; and ‘large’ [≥0.8]). A last observation carried forward imputation approach was used for missing data.

Results

At W10, patients treated with FIL200 overall (n=506) had improvements in all individual IBDQ items versus those treated with PBO (n=277) and had moderate to large increases from baseline (SES ≥0.5) in all individual IBDQ items. The IBDQ items with the five largest SES for FIL200 versus PBO at W10 (analysed by induction study), and for FIL200→FIL200 (n=199) versus FIL200→PBO (n=98) at W58 are summarized in the Table. FIL200 treatment consistently resulted in the largest benefits in items related to pain (‘abdominal pain’ and ‘abdominal cramps’), ability to engage socially (‘satisfied with life’, ‘depressed or discouraged’, ‘social engagement’ and ‘problems with activities’) and bowel urgency (‘loose bowel movements’ and ‘finding a washroom’) versus PBO at W10, and versus FIL200→PBO at W58

Table. Top five individual IBDQ item scores ranked by SES for FIL200 versus PBO groups at W10 and FIL200→FIL200 versus FIL200→PBO groups at W58.

Conclusion

FIL200 treatment provides improvements in HRQoL versus PBO, with large SES seen for most IBDQ items, and the greatest improvements in items related to pain, social engagement and bowel urgency over 58 weeks. This analysis reveals the specific IBDQ items that drive the benefits to HRQoL of FIL and adds further evidence to that showing that FIL contributes to restoration of health through comprehensive disease control for patients with UC.¹

References

1. Schreiber S et al. J Crohns Colitis 2023; https://doi.org/10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjad018

Disclosure

BF reports grants and personal fees from AbbVie, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, Janssen Biotech/Centocor, Johnson & Johnson/Janssen, Pfizer, Receptos and Takeda; and personal fees from Ablynx, ActoGeniX, AdMIRx, Inc., Akebia Therapeutics, Inc., Allergan, Atlantic Pharmaceuticals, Avaxia Biologics, Inc., Avir Pharma, Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Biogen Idec, BiomX Israel, Boehringer Ingelheim, Boston Pharmaceuticals, Calypso Biotech, Celgene, Elan/Biogen, Eli Lilly, enGene, Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Galapagos, Genentech/Roche, gIcare Pharma, Gilead, Given Imaging, Gossamer Bio, GSK, Inception IBD, Inc., Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Japan Tobacco Company, Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co. Ltd, Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Lycera, Mesoblast, Millennium Pharmaceuticals, MSD, Nestlé, Nextbiotix, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, Par’Immune, Progenity, Prometheus Therapeutics and Diagnostics, Protagonist, Qu Biologics, Salix Pharmaceuticals, Shire, Sienna Biopharmaceuticals, Sigmoid Pharma, Synergy Pharma, Teva Pharmaceuticals, TiGenix, Tillotts Pharma, UCB, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, VHsquared, Vivelix Pharmaceuticals, Wyeth, Zealand Pharma and Zyngenia.
SV reports grants from AbbVie, Galapagos, J&J, Pfizer and Takeda; consulting and/or speaker fees from AbbVie, AbolerIS Pharma, AgomAb, Alimentiv, Arena Pharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca, Avaxia Biologics, Bristol Myers Squibb, Boehringer Ingelheim, Celgene, CVasThera, Cytoki Pharma, Dr Falk Pharma, Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Galapagos, Genentech/Roche, Gilead, GSK, Hospira, Imidomics, Janssen, J&J, Lilly, Materia Prima, MiroBio, Morphic, MrMHealth, Mundipharma, MSD, Pfizer, Prodigest, Progenity, Prometheus, Robarts Clinical Trials, Second Genome, Shire, Surrozen, Takeda, Theravance Biopharma, Tillotts Pharma and Zealand Pharma.
LP-B reports speaking fees from AbbVie, Amgen, Arena Pharmaceuticals, Biogen, Celltrion, Eli Lilly, Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Galapagos, Genentech, Gilead, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Medac Pharma, MSD, Pfizer, Sandoz, Takeda, Tillotts Pharma, Viatris and Vifor Pharma;grants from Celltrion, Fresenius Kabi and Takeda; and consulting fees from AbbVie, Abivax, Alimentiv, Alma Bio Therapeutics, Amgen, Applied Molecular Transport, Arena Pharmaceuticals, Biogen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celltrion, CONNECT Biopharma, Cytoki Pharma, Eli Lilly, Enthera, Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Fresenius Kabi, Galapagos, Genentech, Gilead, Gossamer Bio, GSK, H.A.C. Pharma, IAG Image Analysis, Index Pharmaceuticals, Inotrem, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, medac Pharma, Mopac, Morphic, MSD, Norgine, Novartis, OM Pharma, ONO Pharmaceutical, OSE

Introduction

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a refractory inflammatory bowel disease of the colon with repeated relapses and remissions that requires lifelong treatment. Previous studies indicated that proinflammatory cytokines involved the onsets and developments of UC. New treatments for targeting these cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-12 and IL-23 have been developed in a recent decade, underlying that immune abnormalities are the core for the etiology of UC.
Platelets play a role not only in hemostatic coagulation but in inflammatory mediator by interacting with various cells in the innate and adaptive immunity. Chronic inflammatory response confers platelets activation leading to elevated platelet count and hypercoagulability. Moreover, platelets aggregates with leukocyte in active inflammatory milieu. In fact, thrombocytosis, thromboembolism and upregulation of platelet-monocyte complex (PMC) in UC patients have been reported, implying that platelets could be novel biomarker, therapeutic target and clues for elucidating the pathology of UC. However, the clinical significance of platelet activation and PMC formation in UC is not fully elucidated and few studies were conducted to assess how platelet activation contributes to disease aggravations of UC. Therefore, we comprehensively analyzed platelet activation and platelet-monocyte complex by focusing on a correlation with clinical severity of UC.

Aims & Methods

Patients with UC (n=70) including MES0-2 group (n=34) and MES3 group (n=27), diagnosed according to a combination of symptoms, endoscopic findings, histologic findings, and the absence of alternative diagnoses, and age and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs) (n =19) were enrolled for this study. We analyzed the surface markers such as CD62P, CD40L, CD63, PAC-1 and Annexin V on CD61+ platelets by flowcytometry (FCM) in patients with UC in comparison with those in healthy adults. We also analyzed the proportion of CD61+CD14+ platelet-monocyte complexes and quantified the activation of PMCs by FCM. Moreover, we also investigated the correlation among surface markers, proportion of platelet-monocyte aggregates and Mayo endoscopic score (MES) in UC patients.

Results

The expression of CD62P but not other surface markers on platelets was significantly upregulated in UC when compared to HCs (p<0.01), and was significantly upregulated in in MES3 group when compared to the MES0-2 group (P<0.001). The proportion of PMC was also higher in MES3 groups when compared to MES0-2 group (P<0.05), and was markedly reduced by treatment (P<0.05). In addition, CD16+ monocytes, phenotypically mature and pro-inflammatory cell population, were increased in patients with UC when compared to HCs (P<0.01). The expression of CD16 on monocytes aggregated with platelets was significantly higher when compered to that without platelet (P<0.001).

Conclusion

Our study suggests that platelet activation accelerates mucosal inflammation via adhesion with monocytes in UC and contributes to the aggravation of disease.

References

Semple JW, et al. Platelets and the immune continuum.
Nat Rev Immunol. 2011 Apr;11(4):264-74.
Collins CE, et al. Platelets circulate in an activated state in inflammatory bowel disease.
Gastroenterology. 1994 Apr;106(4):840-5.

Introduction

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an idiopathic and chronic disorder that includes ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD). Both diseases are different but show an uncontrolled intestinal immune response that generates tissue inflammation. Dendritic cells (DC) are phagocytic professional antigen presenting cells that link the innate and adaptive immune systems. Indeed, they are the only cell type able to stimulate naïve T cells generating an antigen-specific immune response. In humans, DC can be divided into plasmacytoid (pDC) and c conventional type 1 and 2 (cDC1, cDC2). Although cDC migration towards the GI mucosa is enhanced in IBD, the mechanisms underlying these migrations and whether biological drugs can modulate them are currently unknown.

Aims & Methods

This study aimed to analyze DC migratory capacity towards the GI mucosa, and whether biological drugs with different mechanisms of action can modulate this process in health and IBD.This is a cross-sectional observational postmarketing study where the modulatory effect of different biological treatments on samples from patients with an endoscopic diagnosis of IBD and healthy controls was studied ex vivo. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were obtained from 15 patients per group and were cultured in presence of golimumab or ustekinumab. Following culture, surface markers expression was determined, assessing the differential effect of biological drugs (if any) over the DC subsets in the different groups. After that, the migratory capacity of circulating DC towards CCL2, CCL25, and MadCam1 from the different study groups was determined. Finally, we evaluated the DC migratory capacities in presence of biological drugs or with culture media alone.

Results

The cDC2 subset showed higher expression levels of β7 and CCR5 compared to cDC1. Golimumab and ustekinumab did not modify the expression of the homing markers in any studied subset in pDC and cDC2.On the contrary, in cDC1 both golimumab and ustekinumab increased CCR6 expression in qCD patients and CCR9 in aUC patients. Regarding to the migratory capacities of the different DC subsets toward intestinal chemoattractants ustekinumab decreased the migratory capacity of cDC2 from CD patients towards a medium supplemented with MadCam1 and increases toward CCL2 in case of cDC1 from CU. In the case of migratory capacities of cDC2 from HC were increased by ustekinumab and golimumab toward CCL2 and CCL25 just in case of golimumab.

Conclusion

cDC2 showed more migratory profile markers than other DC populations. Golimumab and ustekinumab modify the expression of the homing markers just in cDC1 subset. Nevertheless, ustekinumab and golimumab modify the migratory capacities of cDC in IBD patients and HC, but do not exert any effect on pDC. These effects occur in a different manner in CD and UC indicates that the behavior of cDC is different in CD and UC, and that the migration capacity of this subset is not dependent exclusively on homing markers.

Introduction

Cobitolimod (MW 5925.18 Da) is a DNA-based oligonucleotide functioning as an immunomodulatory Toll-like receptor 9 agonist. Cobitolimod is in phase III clinical development as a new therapy for moderate to severe left-sided ulcerative colitis (UC). This phase Ib study aimed to evaluate the pharmacokinetics (PK), safety and tolerability of rectally administered cobitolimod in patients with moderate to severe UC.

Aims & Methods

The phase Ib open-label study was conducted at a single center in Sweden (NCT05404074). The patients had moderate to severe UC defined by a 3-component Mayo score of 5 to 9, with an Investigator read endoscopic subscore ≥2, and with stool frequency and rectal bleeding subscores each ≥1. Patients received one cobitolimod enema (500 mg/50 ml) at week 0, and blood samples for PK analysis were collected pre-dose, 15 min, 30 min, 1h, 2h, 4h, 8h, 12h and 24h after dosing. Patients received a second cobitolimod enema (500 mg/50 ml) at week 3, and at week 6 the degree of clinical remission was evaluated. Clinical remission was defined by the 3-component Mayo score with a rectal bleeding subscore = 0, a stool frequency subscore ≤1 (≥1 point decrease from baseline), and an Investigator read endoscopic subscore ≤1. Patients in clinical remission at week 6 received a third cobitolimod enema (500 mg/50 ml), and blood samples were collected for a second PK analysis as described above. The primary endpoint was PK parameters: maximum plasma concentration (C_max), time to C_max (T_max), area under the curve from 0 to timepoint t (AUC_t) and half-life (T_1/2). Secondary endpoints included safety and tolerability.

Results

Eight patients with active disease were enrolled in the study and included in the safety analysis set. One patient was excluded from the pharmacokinetic analysis set (PKAS) due to an immediate bowel movement following administration. Of the 7 patients included in the PKAS, 4 patients achieved clinical remission at week 6. Rectal administration of 500 mg cobitolimod at week 0 resulted in median C_max of 21.7 ng/ml, median T_max of 1h, median T_last of 4h, and median AUC_0-last of 71.7 h*ng/ml (n=7). For the 4 patients in remission at week 6, corresponding numbers were: median C_max of 15.5 ng/ml, median T_max of 0.5h, median T_last of 4h and median AUC_0-last of 27.6 h*ng/ml. T_1/2 was <2.5h both at week 0 and week 6.
In total, 24 adverse events occurred in the study, out of which the majority was mild and judged as unlikely related to study drug. No serious adverse events were reported.

Table 1. PK parameters per patient

Conclusion

The study demonstrates that rectally administered cobitolimod results in a low systemic exposure of short duration both in patients with active disease and in clinical remission. Cobitolimod was safe and well tolerated at a dose of 500 mg.

Disclosure

Thomas Knittel is a consultant for and a shareholder in InDex Pharmaceuticals, Sweden. Pernilla Sandwall is a former employee and a shareholder in InDex Pharmaceuticals, Sweden. Christine Dieterich Johansson is employed by InDex Pharmaceuticals, Sweden. Arezou Zargari is employed by and a shareholder in InDex Pharmaceuticals, Sweden. Johan Bring is a consultant for InDex Pharmaceuticals, Sweden. Per Hellström receives consultancy fees from: Clinical trial consultants, Sweden; ROSE pharma, USA; Pharmanovia, Denmark; Swedish Agricultural University, Uppsala; Pharmacosmos, Denmark; Stockholm Diabetes Association, Sweden; Celltrion, Finland; Mag-tarmförbundet, Sweden; Karolinska Institutet, Sweden; Bristol-Myers Squibb, Sweden; ClinSmart, Sweden; InDex Pharmaceuticals, Sweden; Takeda pharmaceutical company; Mediahuset, Sweden; Bonnier Healthcare Sweden; Folkuniversitetet, Stockholm, Sweden; Biogaia, Stockholm, Sweden; Norgine, Denmark; Nanologica AB, Södertälje, Sweden.

Introduction

Inflammatory bowel diseases are chronic disabling conditions with a complex and multifactorial aetiology, which is still not completely understood. OCTN1, an organic cation transporter could have a role in modulating the inflammatory response, whose genetic polymorphisms were associated to increased risk of inflammatory bowel diseases. Up to now, limited information exists on its role in predicting/modulating response to therapies.

Aims & Methods

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of OCTN1 in modifying gut microbiota and immune composition to Infliximab therapy in murine colitis. Dextran sodium sulphate model of colitis on C57BL/6 mice and ocnt1 gene knockout mice was used to assess clinical efficacy of infliximab administered intravenously. Stool, colon and mesenteric lymph node samples were collected to assess differences in gut microbiota composition, histology for Rachmilewitz score and T cell populations respectively.

Results

Octn1^-/-influences microbiota profile and is associated with a worse dysbiosis in colitis mice. Infliximab treatment attenuates colitis-associated dysbiosis with increase of bacterial richness and evenness in both strains. In comparison with wild type, octn1^-/- mice have a higher baseline percentage of Treg, Tmemory, Th2 and Th17.

Conclusion

Our data support murine model to study OCTN1 genetic asset in inflammatory bowel diseases. This could be the first step to consider this membrane transporter as a biomarker in inflammatory conditions and as a predictor of response to therapies.

Introduction

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by chronic inflammation due to an uncontrolled immune response orchestrated through, i.e. neutrophils. The basement membrane acts as a front-line defense promoting tissue integrity, where the α-3 chain of type IV collagen is solely expressed on the outermost layer of the mucosa. Detection of subclinical ulceration is crucial since early-stage IBD presents a unique window of opportunity for intervention, as the disease might become a self-sustaining process once deep inflammation becomes established. We therefore, wanted to develop a biomarker reflecting early tissue injury, aiding in the implementation of prompt treatment.

Aims & Methods

A competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay quantifying a human neutrophil elastase (HNE) degraded fragment of type IV collagen α-3 chain was developed (C4A3-HNE). Dilution- and spiking recovery, inter- and intra-variability, and interference were evaluated. Acceptance criteria for technical validation were a recovery of 100% ±25 and an inter-intra variability of <15%. Commercial serum samples were purchased from ProteoGenex. Biological relevance was validated in an observational study from Odense University Hospital (OUH) and healthy controls. Groups were compared using Kruskal Wallis (Dunn‘s corrected).

Results

The technical validation of the C4A3-HNE assay demonstrated acceptable results for recovery, variation, and interference. Biological relevance was assessed in commercial IBD samples and healthy donors. C4A3-HNE was elevated in both CD and UC compared to healthy (p=0.001 and <0.0001)(AUC [95% CI]: 0.820 [0.669-0.971]; 0.875 [0.775-1.000]). The results were validated in an independent cohort of IBD patients (both p<0.0001). For UC, analysis showed that compared to patients in endoscopic remission, C4A3-HNE is elevated in patients with mild endoscopic activity, decreasing dose-dependently for moderate and severe disease (T1). Fecal calprotectin and CRP levels were also lower in IBD patients with high levels of C4A3-HNE (T1). With a cut-off value of 54.1 ng/ml, C4A3-HNE could significantly discriminate between mild and severe endoscopic disease (T1).

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates the biological and possible clinical relevance of the novel C4A3-HNE biomarker. The biomarker is elevated in patients with IBD compared with healthy, and high levels may reflect early mucosal damage in patients with UC. Furthermore, inflammatory markers were lower in IBD patients with high levels of C4A3-HNE, pointing towards high levels being indicative of early disease. C4A3-HNE may provide early detection of mucosal damage or prediction of relapse; however, further studies are required to assess the clinical validity of this biomarker.

Disclosure

MA, MP, MK, and JM are employees of Nordic Bioscience A/S. MK owns stocks in Nordic Bioscience A/S.

Introduction

Small bowel activity detected by endoscopy is known to be associated with unfavourable clinical outcome in Crohn’s disease, regardless of symptoms. The treat-to-target approach whereby endoscopic remission is set as a treatment target is recommended. Imaging modalities for monitoring the small bowel are limited, as well as being invasive.

Aims & Methods

In this study, our objective was to investigate which of the existing biomarkers for Crohn’s disease best indicates endoscopic small bowel activity, and whether combining the biomarkers can improve accuracy. 104 consecutive patients with ileal and ileocolonic type Crohn’s disease who underwent balloon assisted enteroscopy (BAE) at our hospital from October 2021 to August 2022 were enrolled, with clinical and laboratory data prospectively collected and analysed. BAE was evaluated using the modified Simple Endoscopic Score for CD (modified SES-CD). Ulcers were defined as those ≧ 0.5 cm.

Results

Haemoglobin, platelet count, C-reactive protein (CRP), leucine-rich alpha-2 glycoprotein (LRG), faecal calprotectin, and faecal haemoglobin values all demonstrated a significant difference in those with ulcers found on BAE. All biomarkers significantly correlated with modified SES-CD. LRG and faecal calprotectin showed the highest areas under the curve (0.841 and 0.853) by ROC analysis for detecting small bowel ulcers. LRG showed a sensitivity of 78% and specificity of 80% at a cut-off value of 13 μg/mL, whereas faecal calprotectin showed a sensitivity of 91% and specificity of 67% at a cut-off value of 151 μg/g. Dual positivity for LRG and faecal calprotectin, as well as LRG and faecal haemoglobin, both predicted the presence of ulcers with a further improved specificity of 92% and 100%. A positive result for either LRG or faecal calprotectin/haemoglobin showed an improved sensitivity of 96% and 91%. Positivity for LRG and either of the faecal biomarkers was associated with poor clinical outcome in terms of hospitalisation, surgery, and relapse.

Conclusion

This is the first study comparing the major existing biomarkers for Crohn’s disease in terms of monitoring for small bowel activity. LRG, faecal calprotectin, and faecal haemoglobin are accurate biomarkers, especially when used in combination. Patients who are dual-positive for LRG and faecal calprotectin or faecal haemoglobin should be assessed by early endoscopic evaluation of the small bowel and considered for change in treatment, as they are at higher risk for hospitalisation, relapse, and surgery.