Introduction

The STRIDE II guidelines recognize endoscopic healing as one of the main therapeutic targets in Crohn's disease (CD). Nevertheless, transmural healing could reduce the risk of long-term complications. The aim of this study was to assess the risk of long-term complications in CD according to the degree of endoscopic and ultrasound healing.

Aims & Methods

We conducted a prospective study that included all patients with CD in clinical remission who underwent colonoscopy with endoscopic healing (CDEIS <4) and intestinal ultrasound (IUS) within 4 weeks between September 2019 and September 2022. IUS transmural healing was defined by a parietal thickness < 3 mm on all digestive segments (colonic and ileal) without color doppler signal.
The primary endpoint was CD relapse, defined as the need for drug intensification, initiation of corticosteroid therapy, CD-related hospitalization, development of a perianal and luminal fistula or abscess, or the need CD-related bowel surgery. Patients were followed up at least every 6 months for two years.

Results

A total of 93 patients were included, the majority of whom were women (53%) with ileocolonic location (43%). The median disease duration was 12 years (IQR, 4-19) and 71% patients were treated with anti-TNF. Ultrasound transmural healing was observed in 73% (68/93) of patients. After a median follow-up of 22.5 months [IQR, 19.3-23.7] 26% of patients have relapsed. The risk of relapse was significantly higher among patients IUS activity at 6 and 12 months (13% vs. 5% and 24% vs 8 % p = 0.007). In multivariate analysis, the risk of relapse was 3 times higher without IUS transmural healing (HR 3.07 (1.35-9.97); p = 0.007). Among patients with a complete endoscopic healing (CDEIS 0) the relapse rate were also significantly higher among patients with IUS activity compared to those with IUS healing (HR 3.65 (1.06-12.8); p =0.040).

Conclusion

IUS transmural healing was associated with a lower risk of relapse among patients with endoscopic healing and could be considered as a non-invasive therapeutic target in CD.

Introduction

Approximately 50% of patients with Ulcerative Colitis (UC) suffer from daily symptoms of faecal urgency, significantly impacting their quality of life¹. Treatment in quiescent disease is challenging and the first line treatment, loperamide, is often used with caution due to the side effect of constipation.
Enterosorbents such as Enterosgel provide a potential alternative treatment. Enterosgel is thought to work through the adsorption of small molecules in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, with minimal or no systemic absorption and metabolism², without causing constipation. Enterosgel has shown clinical effectiveness in reducing urgency in patients with diarrhoea predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D), suggesting potential therapeutic value in patients with UC³, however the mechanism by which this may occur is unknown.

Aims & Methods

This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro adsorption capacity of Enterosgel for three key inflammatory mediators implicated in UC pathogenesis (IL-1β, MMP9 and TNF-α) to explore its potential as a therapeutic option in this patient group.
Three experimental paradigms were performed by diluting recombinant cytokines and enzymes in water-based Enterosgel solutions. After incubation, gel-free supernatants were harvested to analyse residual levels of metabolite via ELISA to identify the quantity of adsorption by Enterosgel. Conditions were conducted with different:

1. Incubation times (15,30,60,120 min)
2. Metabolite concentrations (5 concentrations ranging from 0 - 3000pg/mL)
3. Gel concentrations (0.056, 0.1125, 0.225g/mL)

Results

Enterosgel demonstrated measurable concentration-dependent adsorption of IL-1β, MMP9 and TNF-α with higher analyte input concentrations resulting in greater absolute adsorption. However for TNF-α adsorption saturated at 1000pg/mL, indicating that Enterosgel may not fully adsorb analytes at levels simulating extreme luminal inflammation. Charcoal consistently resulted in lower residual concentrations, although this did not reach statistical significance on permutation testing (p = 0.14).
In time dependent analysis, Enterosgel induced a rapid initial reduction in cytokine levels within 15 minutes, (IL-1β: 98.7%, MMP9: 99.4%, TNF-α: 95.8% adsorbed) with a plateau by 120 minutes (IL-1β: r²=0.74, MMP9: r²=0.64, TNF-α: r²=0.45). In contrast, charcoal demonstrated a near-linear monotonic decline with a slightly greater concentration adsorbed by 120 minutes (IL-1β: 99.9% vs. 99.8%; MMP9: 99.9% vs. 99.1%; TNF-α: 97.2 vs. 96.3%). Increasing gel concentrations improved adsorption efficiency; however, at the highest gel concentration small amounts of residual cytokines remained (IL-1β: 0.25%, MMP9: 0.28%, TNF-α: 3.5%). Doubling of gel concentration led to an average 30% decrease in residual cytokines.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that Enterosgel demonstrates excellent adsorption of three key pro-inflammatory cytokines relevant to UC, with the greatest reduction at 1 hour and the highest gel concentration—though less than that achieved by charcoal. Evidence of saturation at high analyte levels suggests a limit to Enterosgel’s binding capacity under conditions simulating severe inflammation. These results highlight Enterosgel's clinical potential, however further validation with biological replicates and clinical studies assessing urgency in treated UC is required.

References

(1) Theresa Hunter Gibble, April N. Naegeli, Michael Grabner, Keith Isenberg, Mingyang Shan, et al. Identification of inadequate responders to advanced therapy among commercially-insured adult patients with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis in the United States. 2023; 63 (23): 10.1186/s12876-023-02675-w.
(2) Howell CA, Mikhalovsky SV, Markaryan EN, Khovanov AV. Investigation of the adsorption capacity of the enterosorbent Enterosgel for a range of bacterial toxins, bile acids and pharmaceutical drugs. Scientific Reports. 2019; 9 (1): 10.1038/s41598-019-42176-z.
(3) Howell CA, Kemppinen A, Allgar V, Dodd M, Knowles CH, Mclaughlin J, et al. Double-blinded randomised placebo controlled trial of enterosgel (polymethylsiloxane polyhydrate) for the treatment of IBS with diarrhoea (IBS-D). BMJ; 2022.
(4) Shane O'Sullivan, John F Gilmer, Carols Medina. Matrix Metalloproteinases in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: An Update. Mediators of Inflammation. 2015; 2015 (1): 10.1155/2015/964131.
(5) Qingdong Guan JZ. Recent Advances: The Imbalance of Cytokines in the Pathogenesis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Mediators of Inflammation. 2017; 2017 (1): 10.1155/2017/4810258.

Introduction

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic, progressive, type 2 inflammatory disease of the esophagus. Dupilumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody that blocks interleukin-4 and interleukin-13, significantly improved histologic and endoscopic outcomes versus placebo in Parts A and B of the EoE KIDS study in pediatric (1–11 years) patients with EoE (NCT04394351).

Aims & Methods

The aim of this analysis was to assess safety and efficacy of long-term dupilumab in the Part C open-label extension (OLE). Patients completing Week (W)52 in Part B were eligible for Part C, where they received the weight-tiered, open-label dupilumab regimen later approved by the FDA (similar to the Part A and B higher-exposure regimen). Part C ended early with FDA approval of dupilumab for pediatric patients with EoE; efficacy data to the last prespecified assessment at W100 are reported.

Results

102 patients enrolled in Part A, 98 in Part B, and 61 in Part C. At W100, the proportions of patients achieving peak esophageal intraepithelial eosinophil counts of ≤6 and <15 eosinophils/high-power field (eos/hpf) were similar/improved vs those observed with higher-exposure dupilumab through W52 of Part B: 70.7% vs 62.9% and 92.7% vs 85.7%, respectively. Additionally, mean (standard deviation) changes from Part A baseline at W100 were similar to those with higher-exposure dupilumab through W52 of Part B in EoE-Histologic Scoring System grade and stage scores (-0.85 [0.39] vs -0.97 [0.39], and -0.85 [0.36] vs -0.89 [0.32], respectively) and EoE-Endoscopic Reference Score (-5.34 [2.54] vs -4.77 [3.08]). Overall, 53/61 (86.9%) patients reported mild or moderate adverse events (AEs) and 3/61 (4.9%) reported serious AEs (none deemed related to dupilumab). The most common treatment-related AE during Part C was injection site reaction.

Conclusion

Dupilumab had a consistent, acceptable safety profile and maintained histologic and endoscopic efficacy in pediatric patients with EoE to W100. Future analyses will evaluate symptoms.

Disclosure

Chehade M: Adare Pharma Solutions/Ellodi, Allakos, AstraZeneca, BMS, Nexstone Immunology, Phathom, Recludix Pharma, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc., Sanofi, Shire/Takeda ‒ consultant; Adare Pharma Solutions/Ellodi, Allakos, AstraZeneca, Celgene/BMS, Danone, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc., Shire/Takeda ‒ research funding. Dellon ES: Abbvie, Adare/Ellodi, Akesobio, Alfasigma, ALK, Allakos, Amgen, Apollo, Aqilion, Arena/Pfizer, Aslan, AstraZeneca, Avir, Biocryst, Bryn, Calypso, Celgene/Receptos/BMS, Celldex, EsoCap, Eupraxia, Dr. Falk Pharma, Ferring, GI Reviewers, GSK, Holoclara, Invea, Knightpoint, LucidDx, Morphic, Nexstone Immunology/Uniquity, Nutricia, Parexel/Calyx, Phathom, Regeneron, Revolo, Robarts/Alimentiv, Sanofi, Shire/Takeda, Target RWE, Upstream Bio – consultant; Allakos, Aqilion, Holoclara, Invea – educational grant. Adare/Ellodi, Allakos, Arena/Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Celldex, Eupraxia, Ferring, GSK, Meritage, Miraca, Nutricia, Celgene/Receptos/BMS, Regeneron, Revolo, Sanofi, Shire/Takeda – research funding; Allakos, Aqilion, Holoclara, Invea – educational grant. Pesek RD: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. ‒ advisory board. Collins MH: Alimentiv, Allakos, Arena, AstraZeneca, BMS, Calypso, EsoCap, GSK, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc., Shire – consultant. Ashok D: Alexion Pharma, LaunchitDTx, Mirum Pharma ‒ consulting fees. Sanofi ‒ speaker fees. Liu R, Xia C: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. – employees and shareholders. Louisias M: Sanofi – employees, may hold stock and/or stock options in the company.

Introduction

Vedolizumab (VDZ) is approved for moderate-to-severe inflammatory bowel disease (IBD; ulcerative colitis [UC] & Crohn’s disease [CD]).^1,2 While the subcutaneous (SC) formulation of VDZ is effective as maintenance treatment (mTx) in patients (pts) responding to intravenous (IV) VDZ induction treatment (Tx),^1,3 real-world data on Tx patterns of pts switching mTx from VDZ IV to SC or initiating mTx VDZ SC after IV induction are limited.

Aims & Methods

This prospective, non-interventional, multicentre (NCT05384080) study (conducted under the umbrella VARIETY protocol) enrolled adults with UC or CD initiating/undergoing induction with VDZ IV or continuing VDZ IV mTx, with the option to switch to VDZ SC mTx. The primary endpoint was real-world Tx patterns with VDZ, including Tx persistence. Additional endpoints assessed pt characteristics, pt-reported outcomes, and safety (adverse events [AEs]). Data were descriptively analysed.

Results

Overall, 162 enrolled pts (August 2022–June 2023; UC, n=103; CD, n=59) were included in the interim analysis. At enrolment, 127 (78.4%) received VDZ mTx (UC, n=78; CD, n=49) and 35 (21.6%), VDZ induction (UC, n=25; CD, n=10). The mean (SD) age was 38.2 (12.3) yrs, and time since IBD diagnosis was 10.7 (11.1) yrs. Majority of pts were male (96 [59.3%]), currently employed (124 [76.5%]), had never smoked (109 [67.3%]), and reported previous biologic therapy (95 [58.6%]). Demographic and IBD Tx history data were consistent across cohorts. At baseline, in pts with UC, the mean (SD) partial Mayo score was 1.8 (2.7); in pts with CD, the mean (SD) Crohn’s Disease Activity Index (CDAI) score was 90.6 (70.1). During the 1-yr study period, 20.0% (n=7; UC, n=2; CD, n=5) of pts in the induction and 51.2% (n=65; UC, n=40; CD, n=25) in the mTx cohort switched to VDZ SC. At week (W) 52, Tx persistence was 40.0% (n=14; UC, n=11; CD, n=3) and 77.2% (n=98; UC, n=61; CD, n=37) in the induction and mTx cohorts, respectively, and highest overall in mTx pts who switched to VDZ SC (86.2%; n=56; Table). The most common reason for Tx discontinuation was investigator decision (64.7%; n=33). For VDZ IV and SC, the mean (SD) number of doses per pt was 10.5 (7.6) and 23.8 (15.0), respectively. The median time from VDZ Tx initiation to SC Tx was 383 days (induction: 98 days; mTx: 434 days). In the induction cohort, the mean (SD) Work Productivity & Activity Impairment (WPAI) scores improved from 32.7 (24.1) at baseline (n=21) to 21.5 (31.2) at W52 (n=11), and the Short IBD Questionnaire (SIBDQ) scores improved from 44.1 (10.0) at baseline (n=34) to 51.0 (12.9) at W52 (n=15). In the mTx cohort, WPAI and SIBDQ results remained consistent over time. Fifty-three AEs were reported, including 4 serious AEs (malignancy, IBD flare requiring hospitalization, abdominal abscess, and unconsciousness). One AE of special interest (hypersensitivity reaction) was considered VDZ-related.

Conclusion

In this Polish real-world study, high Tx persistence was reported, especially in pts who switched to VDZ SC. No new safety signals were noted. Overall, the results were consistent with those from other VARIETY cohorts,⁴ although lower persistence was observed during induction. The small size of the induction cohort was a limitation of this study.

References

1. Sandborn WJ, et al. Gastroenterology. 2020;158:562–72.e12.
2. Loftus EV Jr, et al. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2020;52:1353–65.
3. Vermeire S, et al. J Crohns Colitis. 2022;16:27–38.
4. Novacek G, et al. J Crohns Colitis. 2024;18(suppl 1):i1506–7

Disclosure

Conflicts of interest: Agata Michalak received lectures fees and/or travel grants from AbbVie, Bayer, Biocodex and Takeda. Katarzyna Karłowicz received lecture fees, consultancy fees or travel educational grants from Bristol Myers Squibb, AbbVie, Polpharma, Takeda and Pfizer. Renata Talar-Wojnarowska received lecture fees and/or travel grants from AbbVie, Astellas, Ferring, Janssen and Takeda. Adam Fabisiak received fees and/or travel grants from Bristol Myers Squibb, Pro. Med. CS, Pfizer and Polpharma. Magdalena Achtenberg received lecture fees from Ferring. Piotr Eder received lecture fees and/or travel grants from Takeda, Ferring, Astellas, Pfizer and Janssen. Maria Kłopocka received payment for lectures from Janssen, Takeda, Ferring, Alfasigma and Pharmabest and travel/accommodation/meeting expenses from Ferring, Janssen, Takeda, Alfasigma and Pharmabest. Maciej Gonciarz received compensation and/or research/educational grants from Pfizer, Polfarma, Abbvie, BMS, Ewoppharma, Ferring, Astellas, Takeda, Jansen-Cilag, Celtrion, Johnson & Johnson, and Sanofi. Grażyna Rydzewska received speaker and consultant fees from AbbVie, AlfaSigma, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Biocodex, Bristol Myers Squibb, Ferring, Janssen, Lilly, Pro. Med. Pl., Recordati, Sanprobi, SOBI and Takeda and travel/accommodation meeting expenses from AbbVie, Ferring and Takeda. Eliza Majewska is a permanent employee of Takeda Pharma Sp. z o.o. Maria Kopertowska-Majchrzak, Tomasz Romańczyk, Halina Cichoż-Lach, Małgorzata Zwolińska-Wcisło, and Elżbieta Poniewierka declare no conflicts of interest.
Funding: The study was funded by Takeda Pharma Sp. z o.o.
Acknowledgements: Medical writing support was provided by Michelle Rebello, PhD, of Cactus Life Sciences (part of Cactus Communications) and funded by Takeda Pharma Sp. z o.o.

Introduction

Resolution of pain, fatigue and other symptoms are key treatment goals for many patients (pts) with Crohn’s disease (CD);^1,2 however, time to symptomatic improvement in pts treated with vedolizumab (VDZ) has not been formally evaluated.

Aims & Methods

VOICE (NCT06249555) is a prospective, observational study in pts with CD aged ≥18 years initiating VDZ or anti-IL-23 antagonist treatment (tx) per product labelling as part of standard of care, with the main objective to explore the time course of response to VDZ as measured by the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) domain Short Form (SF) scores. Inclusion criteria include baseline PROMIS Pain Interference (PI)-SF T-score ≥55 (0.5 SD above general population). We enrolled pts via Takeda pt support program in Canada, with additional pts enrolled at US and Canada sites. Planned sample size is 300 pts (VDZ, 200; anti-IL-23 antagonist [reference group not for formal comparison], 100); planned follow-up is 52 weeks (wks), with PROMIS PI data reported weekly for the first 14 wks. The primary endpoint is time to the first meaningful clinical improvement in PROMIS PI-SF T-score, defined as ≥2-point decrease in PROMIS PI-SF T-score from baseline. We also collect data on improvement in 7 PROMIS domains with clinical improvement defined as 5-point (0.5 SD)³ change in T-score from baseline, Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (SIBDQ; including SIBDQ improvement [≥9 point increase from baseline] and SIBDQ remission [score of ≥60]) and safety. Here, we report the results from pts with ≥1 VDZ dose and ≥1 post-baseline PI assessment included in the interim analysis (IA; prespecified to occur after 50 pts from VDZ group completed or discontinued before the wk 14 assessment to provide an early evaluation of tx response and safety).

Results

Overall, 64 pts with ≥1 VDZ dose and ≥1 post-baseline PROMIS PI assessment (mean±SD age, 43.1±17.0 years, 35.9% male, 92.2% White) were included in the IA. Disease duration (mean±SD) was 6.4±12.1 years; 84.4% of pts were anti-TNF-naïve. Data collection is ongoing for 57 pts (49 with and 8 without completed wk 14 PROMIS PI questionnaire); 7 pts discontinued from the study. The median time to achieve the first ≥2_-point decrease in PROMIS PI-SF T-score (in n=56 pts) was 12 days (95% CI, 6-13). Baseline PROMIS domain scores indicated notable impairment; by wk 14, improvements in mean PROMIS scores from baseline were observed in all 7 measured domains, with ≥5-point improvements in 4/7 domains (Table). At wk 14, 37.5% (24/64) and 7.8% (5/64) pts achieved SIBDQ improvement and remission, respectively. One pt had serious adverse events of appendicitis and diverticulitis, and another pt had a fatal event; none of these were related to VDZ tx.

Table. Summary of PROMIS domain T-scores

Conclusion

The IA results through wk 14 show an early improvement across multiple symptom domains and quality of life in pts with CD starting VDZ tx. Time to first ≥2-point decrease in PROMIS PI-SF T-score was short, with a benefit observed after 12 days from VDZ initiation. Study recruitment and data collection are ongoing.

References

1. Keefer L, et al. Gastroenterology. 2022;162(5):1439-1451.
2. Kitchen H, et al. Crohns Colitis 360. 2020;2(2):otaa033
3. Cella D, et al. Value Health. 2019;22(5):537-544.
4. Shaw BE, et al. Cancer. 2018;124(4):841-849.

Disclosure

This study was sponsored by Alimentiv, Inc.
V. Jairath reports consulting/advisory board fees from AbbVie, Alimentiv, Anaptyis Bio, Arena Pharmaceuticals, Asahi Kasei Pharma, Asieris, Astra Zeneca, Avoro Capital, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celltrion, Eli Lilly, Endpoint Health, Enthera, Ensho, Ferring, Flagship Pioneering, Fresenius Kabi, Galapagos, Gilde Healthcare, GlaxoSmithKline, Genentech, Gilead, Innomar, JAMP, Janssen, Merck, Metacrine, Mylan, MRM Health, Pandion, Pendopharm, Pfizer, Protagonist, Prometheus Biosciences, Reistone Biopharma, Roche, Roivant, Sandoz, Second Genome, Sorriso, Spyre, Synedgen, Takeda, TD Securities, Teva, Topivert, Ventyx, Vividion; speaker’s fees from, Abbvie, Ferring, Bristol Myers Squibb, Galapagos, Janssen Pfizer Shire, Takeda, Tillotts and Fresenius Kabi.
M. Long reports consulting fees from AbbVie, Alimentiv, Bristol Myers Squibb, Intercept, Janssen, Lilly, Pfizer, Prometheus, Roivant, Syneos Health and Takeda; and research support from Lilly, Pfizer and Takeda.
M.D. Kappelman reports being a consultant to Eli Lilly and Takeda.
G. Radulescu and N. Li are employees of Alimentiv.
J.J. Wu, I. Romo Bautista, A. Insogna and C. Agboton are employees of Takeda and hold stock and/or share options in Takeda.
N. Narula has received advisory board/consulting honoraria from Abbvie, Amgen, Eli Lilly and Company, Ferring, Fresinius Kabi, Innomar Strategies, Iterative Health, Janssen, Novartis, Organon, Pfizer, Sandoz and Takeda.

Introduction

Crohn’s disease (CD) is a chronic condition characterized by a relapsing-remitting course, often requiring intestinal resection. Postoperative management primarily aims to maintain clinical remission. The advent of biologic therapies has undoubtedly improved disease prognosis following initial surgery. However, access to this therapeutic class remains limited in lower-middle income countries such as Tunisia, necessitating the use of alternative agents, notably azathioprine (AZA), which has been widely used for this indication, albeit with controversial results.

Aims & Methods

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of AZA in maintaining remission after a first intestinal resection in patients with ileal or ileocolonic Crohn’s disease, and to identify factors associated with treatment failure.
​We conducted a retrospective, descriptive, and analytical study in the gastroenterology department of Sahloul University Hospital in Sousse (Tunisia) over a 4-year period (2020–2024). We included all patients with ileal or right ileocolonic CD who underwent intestinal resection and received AZA in the postoperative period.

Results

A total of 66 patients were included, with a mean age at diagnosis of 31.50 ± 12.24 years and a male-to-female ratio of 1.06. The median interval between diagnosis and surgery was 21.5 months. During follow-up, AZA failure occurred in 63.6% of patients (n=42), with a mean time from surgery to failure of 44.71 ± 37.74 months. In univariate analysis, ileocolonic disease location (p=0.042), the total number of flares (p=0.007), and the number of severe flares (p<0.001) prior to surgery were significantly associated with AZA failure. Failure rates were also significantly higher in patients who underwent emergency surgery (p=0.007). Inflammatory resection margins (p<0.001) and severe inflammatory activity (p=0.007) were also significantly associated with treatment failure. In multivariate analysis, three independent risk factors were identified: the number of severe flares before surgery (p=0.031), preoperative inflammatory syndrome (p=0.008), and histopathological evidence of disease at the resection margins (p=0.004).

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that thiopurines remain a valuable therapeutic option in the management of Crohn’s disease, particularly in our setting, where access to alternative therapies is limited and associated with high costs.