Introduction

Tumor necrosis factor–like cytokine 1A (TL1A) is a mediator of inflammation and fibrosis in CD. Tulisokibart, an anti-TL1A monoclonal antibody, demonstrated robust efficacy without adverse safety signals during the 12-week induction period in adults with moderately to severely active CD in the multicenter, open-label, phase 2a APOLLO-CD study.¹ We report long-term efficacy and safety data for tulisokibart from the APOLLO-CD open-label extension (OLE).

Aims & Methods

Responders to tulisokibart induction at 12-weeks (defined as a decrease from baseline in CD activity index [CDAI] of ≥100 points or CDAI <150 at week 12) were given the opportunity to enter the OLE study, whereas 12-week non-responders discontinued the study. At week 14, responders were randomized to receive intravenous tulisokibart 100 mg or 250 mg every 4 weeks until week 170. Reported here are the endoscopic, clinical, and biomarker endpoints through week 50 in the intention-to-treat population. Safety was evaluated in all patients who received ≥1 dose of tulisokibart. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize observed data.

Results

53 of 55 patients completed the 12-week induction period, 37 were considered induction responders and were randomized to receive tulisokibart 100 mg (n=19) or 250 mg (n=18). A greater proportion of patients who were biologic-naive entered the OLE in the tulisokibart 250 mg vs 100 mg group (44% vs 21%). Improvements in clinical, endoscopic, and biomarker outcomes observed were generally maintained through week 50 in both dose groups. At week 50, a greater proportion of patients achieved clinical and endoscopic outcomes with tulisokibart 250 mg vs 100 mg (Table). In addition, normalization of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) favored the 250 mg dose vs the 100 mg dose. During the 12-week induction period, 78% of patients reported AEs. At week 50, AEs were reported in 83% and 84% of patients receiving tulisokibart 250 mg and 100 mg, respectively, and were mostly mild-to-moderate in severity. Serious AEs occurred in 6% of patients receiving tulisokibart 250 mg and 11% of patients receiving tulisokibart 100 mg. The most frequently occurring AEs of special interest (>10% of patients in either dose group) were urinary tract infection (11% vs 16%), COVID-19 (11% vs 11%), upper respiratory tract infection (6% vs 16%), bronchitis (11% vs 0%), clostridium difficile infection (11% vs 0%), and influenza (0% vs 11%).

Conclusion

At week 50, maintenance of treatment efficacy was generally observed in 12-week induction responders. A trend for higher maintenance efficacy with tulisokibart 250 mg vs 100 mg maintenance treatment was observed at week 50. Tulisokibart was well tolerated with no safety signals identified through 50 weeks of treatment. Larger trials are needed to confirm these findings.

Table. Clinical, endoscopic and biomarker outcomes at week 12 and among 12-week induction responders at week 50
	Week 12 Tulisokibarta (n = 55)	Week 50 Tulisokibart 100 mg (n = 19)	Week 50 Tulisokibart 250 mg (n = 18)
Endoscopic responseb	13 (24)	3 (16)	5 (28)
Clinical remissionc	27 (49)	8 (42)	10 (56)
Clinical responsed	37 (67)	11 (58)	12 (67)
Composite endoscopic and clinical responsee	9 (16)	3 (16)	4 (22)
Composite biomarker and clinical responsef	n = 49 17 (35)	n = 16 4 (25)	n = 17 6 (35)
Normalization of hsCRPg	n = 36 5 (14)	n = 9 0	n = 16 5 (31)
Normalization of fecal calprotectinh	n = 44 6 (14)	n = 14 2 (14)	n = 16 2 (13)
All data are n (%). aDuring the 12-week induction period, patients received intravenous tulisokibart 100 mg on day 1 and 500 mg at weeks 2, 6, and 10. All patients treated with tulisokibart with baseline CDAI and SES-CD scores were included in the full analysis set population. bEndoscopic response was defined as a decrease in SES-CD total score ≥50% from baseline. cClinical remission was defined as CDAI score <150. dClinical response was defined as either a decrease of ≥100 points in CDAI from baseline or CDAI score <150. eComposite endoscopic and clinical response was defined as a decrease in SES-CD score ≥50% from baseline and either a decrease of ≥100 points in CDAI from baseline or CDAI score <150. fComposite biomarker and clinical response was defined as a decrease in hsCRP or fecal calprotectin ≥50% from baseline and either a decrease of ≥100 points in CDAI from baseline or CDAI score <150 (evaluated in patients with ≥1 elevated biomarker at baseline). gNormalization of hsCRP was defined as a concentration of <5 mg/L among patients with elevated levels at baseline. hNormalization of fecal calprotectin was defined as a concentration of <250 µg/g among patients with elevated levels at baseline.

References

1. Feagan BG, et al. J Crohns Colitis. 2023;17(Supplement_1):i162-i164.

Disclosure

CAS is a consultant/advisory board for AbbVie, BMS, Boomerang, Buhlmann, Janssen, Lilly, Napo Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer, Prometheus Biosciences, Prometheus Labs, Roivant, Takeda, Trellus Health; speaker for CME activities for AbbVie, Janssen, Pfizer, Takeda; grant support from AbbVie, Janssen, Pfizer, Takeda.
RWL reports advisory board membership for AbbVie, Aspen, BMS, Celgene, Celltrion, Chiesi, Ferring, Glutagen, Hospira, Janssen, Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Prometheus Biosciences, Takeda; research grant recipient: Celltrion, Shire, Janssen, Takeda, Gastroenterological Society of Australia, NHMRC, Gutsy Group, Pfizer, Joanna Tiddy grant, McKusker Charitable Foundation.
JKA, BD, and MY are employees of Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA.
BES reports consulting fees from AbbVie, Adiso Therapeutics, Agomab, Alimentiv, Amgen, AnaptysBio, Arena Pharmaceuticals, Artugen Therapeutics, Astra Zeneca, Biolojic Design, Biora Therapeutics, Boehringer Ingelheim, Boston Pharmaceuticals, Calibr, Celgene, Celltrion, ClostraBio, Equillium, Enthera, Envied Biosciences, Evommune, Ferring, Fresenius Kabi, Fiat, Galapagos, Genentech (Roche), Gilead Sciences, GlaxoSmithKline, Gossamer Bio, Imhotex, Index Pharmaceuticals, Innovation Pharmaceuticals, Inotrem, Kaleido, Kallyope, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, Microba, Mobius Care, Morphic Therapeutics, MRM Health, Nexus Therapeutics, Nimbus Discovery, Odyssey Therapeutics, Progenity, Prometheus Biosciences, Prometheus Laboratories, Protagonist Therapeutics, Q32 Bio, Rasayana Therapeutics, Recludix Therapeutics, Reistone Biopharma, Sanofi, Spyre Therapeutics, Sun Pharma, Surrozen, Target RWE,Teva, TLL Pharmaceutical, Tr1X, Union Therapeutics, Ventyx Biosciences; consulting and speaking fees from Abivax; consulting and speaking fees and other support from Lilly; research grants, consulting and speaking fees and other support from Bristol Myers Squibb, Janssen, Pfizer, Takeda; research grants and consulting fees from Theravance Biopharma; and stock/stock options from Ventyx Biopharma.
SD has received consultancy fees from AbbVie, Alimentiv, Allergan, Amgen, Applied Molecular Transport, AstraZeneca, Athos Therapeutics, Biogen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, Celltrion Healthcare, Dr. Falk Pharma, Eli Lilly and Company, Enthera, Ferring, Gilead, Hospira, Inotrem, Janssen, Johnson & Johnson, Morphic, MSD, Mundipharma, Mylan, Pfizer, Roche, Sandoz, Sublimity Therapeutics, Takeda, Teladoc Health, TiGenix, UCB Inc., Vial, and Vifor and lecture fees from AbbVie, Amgen, Ferring, Gilead, Janssen, Mylan, Pfizer, and Takeda.
BGF is a consultant for AbbVie, AbolerIS, AgomAB Therapeutics, Allianthera, Amgen, AnaptysBio, Applied Molecular Transport Inc., Arena Pharma, Atomwise, Avoro Capital Advisors, BioJamp, Biora Therapeutics, Boehringer Ingelheim, Boxer, Bristol Myers Squibb/Celgene, Celsius Therapeutics, Connect BioPharma, Cytoki, Disc Medicine, Duality, EcoR1 Capital, Equillium, Ermium, First Wave, First Word Group, Galapagos, Galen Atlantica, Genentech/Roche, Gilead, GlaxoSmithKline, Gossamer Pharma, Hinge Bio, Hot Spot Therapeutics, Imhotex, Immunic Therapeutics, InDex Pharmaceuticals, JAKAcademy, Janssen, Japan Tobacco Inc., Kaleido Biosciences, Landos Biopharma, Leadiant, L.E.K. Consulting, Lenczner Slaght, LifeSci Capital, Lilly, Lument AB, Millennium, MiroBio, Morgan Lewis, Morphic Therapeutics, Mylan, OM Pharma, Origo BioPharma, Orphagen, Pandion Therapeutics, Pendopharm, Pfizer, Play to Know AG, Prometheus Therapeutics and Diagnostics, Progenity, Protagonist, PTM Therapeutics, Q32 Bio, Rebiotix, REDX, Roche, Sandoz, Sanofi, Seres Therapeutics, Silverback Therapeutics, Surrozen Inc., Takeda, Teva, Thelium, Tigenix, Tillotts, Ventyx Biosciences, VHSquared Ltd., Viatris, Ysios, Ysopia, and Zealand Pharma; on the Speakers’ Bureau for AbbVie, Janssen, and Takeda; and on advisory boards for AbbVie, Amgen, AMT, AnaptysBio, Axio Research, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb/Celgene, EcoR1 Capital, Genentech/Roche, GlaxoSmithKline, InDex Pharmaceuticals, Janssen, Lilly, MiroBio, Morphic, Origo BioPharma, Pfizer, Progenity, Prometheus, REDX Pharma, Sanofi, Takeda, Teva, and Tillotts Pharma.

Introduction

The Epi-IBD cohort is a prospective European population-based cohort of 1,390 patients diagnosed in 2010 and 2011 with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) according to Copenhagen criteria in centres from Eastern and Western European countries.

Aims & Methods

The study aims at describing differences in incidence, treatment strategies, disease course and prognosis of Crohn’s disease (CD) across Eastern and Western Europe. CD patients were followed prospectively from the time of diagnosis until December 31^st, 2020, death, emigration or loss of follow-up. Clinical data on surgery, hospitalizations, and medical treatment, were captured throughout the follow-up period and entered into a validated web-database, www.epi-ibd.org. Associations between surgery and covariates were analysed by multivariate Cox regression analyses.

Results

In total, 482 CD patients aged ≥15 years from 21 centres in 5 Eastern and 11 Western European countries were included. At 10-years follow-up, 101 (21%) patients underwent first intestinal resection and 11 out of these 101 patients (11%) underwent additional resections. Furthermore, 176 (37%) patients had at least one CD related hospitalization. Cancer was diagnosed in 21 (4%) patients, including 4 gastrointestinal cancers. The use of IBD medication was comparable between Eastern and Western European centres apart from 5-aminosalicylic acid agents (Table 1).
During follow-up, 60 out of 360 patients (17%) progressed from non-stricturing-non-penetrating disease (B1) at diagnosis to stricturing or penetrating disease (B2 or B3) while 13 out of 83 patients (16%) with stricturing disease (B2) progressed to penetrating disease (B3). The median time to progression was 28 (IQR: 9-64) months from diagnosis. No patients from Eastern Europe were exposed to biological therapy prior to change in behaviour, compared to 23 out of 66 patients (35%) from Western Europe.
Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed no difference in risk of surgery according to European region (Eastern vs. Western Europe, HR: 0.54, 95%CI: 0.24-1.21). Early intervention with biological therapy (within 6 months) did not influence the risk of surgery (HR:0.75, 95%CI: 0.31-1.83), however early introduction of immunomodulators reduced the risk significantly (HR:0.54, 95%CI: 0.30-0.98). Progression in behaviour from B1 was associated with higher risk of surgery (HR:7.62, 95%CI: 3.91-14.87).

Conclusion

After 10 years of follow-up, 21% underwent intestinal resection and 10% required additional resections. Despite the widespread use of immunomodulators and biological therapy, 16% of the patients had disease behavioural progression, which was associated with higher risk of surgery. Early introduction of immunomodulators was found to be beneficial.

Introduction

Objective: Tumor necrosis factor–like cytokine 1A (TL1A) regulates pro-inflammatory cytokines and fibrosis. PRA023 is an anti-TL1A monoclonal antibody in development for multiple inflammatory/fibrotic diseases incorporating a precision approach with a predictive genetic-based diagnostic (Dx) tool. This placebo-controlled, double-blind phase 2 study assessed efficacy and safety of PRA023 induction treatment in adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC).

Aims & Methods

Patients with a modified Mayo score (mMS) of 4 to 9, centrally read endoscopy subscore of ≥2, rectal bleeding subscore of ≥1, and history of insufficient response, loss of response, and/or intolerance to conventional and/or advanced therapies (≤4 advanced agents from ≤3 classes allowed) were eligible. Patients were stratified by prior biologic exposure and Dx status and randomized 1:1 to placebo or intravenous PRA023 (1000 mg on day 1, 500 mg at weeks 2, 6, and 10). The primary endpoint was clinical remission per mMS at week 12. Analyses of ranked secondary endpoints were multiplicity-controlled.

Results

Of the 135 patients, 60/67 (89.6%) in the placebo arm and 68/68 (100%) in the PRA023 arm completed the 12-week induction period. Baseline characteristics were similar. A significantly greater proportion of patients who received PRA023 achieved the primary endpoint of clinical remission (26.5% PRA023 vs 1.5% placebo, ∆25.0%, p<0.0001) at week 12 (Table 1). All ranked secondary endpoints for cohort 1 significantly favored drug relative to placebo, including symptomatic remission (19.1% PRA023 vs 6.0% placebo, ∆13.1%, p=0.02), mucosal healing (30.8% PRA023 vs 3.5% placebo, ∆27.3%, p<0.0001), and IBDQ response (82.4% PRA023 vs 49.3% placebo, ∆33.1%, p<0.0001; Table 1). Exposure to prior advanced therapy, antidrug antibody status, and concomitant therapy did not have a major effect on efficacy. Statistically significant reductions in symptom scores (partial Mayo score) were observed in patients receiving PRA023 as early as week 2. C-reactive protein and fecal calprotectin levels were significantly reduced throughout the treatment period with PRA023 compared to placebo. An enhanced treatment effect was observed for the prespecified Dx+ subgroup, with 37.5% for both placebo-adjusted clinical remission and endoscopic improvement. The rates of treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs) were similar between the 2 arms with no serious AEs or AEs leading to study drug discontinuation in the PRA023 arm. There were no safety signals identified from the study.

Table 1: Primary and Secondary Efficacy Endpoints

	Placebo (N=67) N (%)	PRA023 (N=68) N (%)	Placebo-adjusted treatment effect % (95% CI)	P-value
Clinical remission	1 (1.5)	18 (26.5)	25.0 (13.9–36.6)	<0.0001
Endoscopic improvement	4 (6.0)	25 (36.8)	30.8 (17.4–43.2)	<0.0001
Clinical response	15 (22.4)	45 (66.2)	43.8 (27.4–56.9)	<0.0001
Symptomatic remission	4 (6.0)	13 (19.1)	13.1 (1.8–24.6)	0.0223
Mucosal healing	2 (3.5)*	20 (30.8)†	27.3 (14.3–39.6)	<0.0001
Histologic improvement	10 (17.5)*	30 (46.2)†	28.6 (12.1–42.9)	0.0009
Histologic-endoscopic mucosal improvement	2 (3.5)*	20 (30.8)†	27.3 (14.3–39.6)	<0.0001
Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire response	33 (49.3)	56 (82.4)	33.1 (17.2–46.8)	<0.0001

P values for testing the treatment difference are based on Cochran–Mantel–Haenszel test adjusted for prior biologic exposure status and Dx status. *n=56; †n=56.

Conclusion

PRA023 was effective with favorable tolerability for the induction of clinical remission and endoscopic improvement in moderately to severely active UC. A phase 3 study will be conducted to confirm these findings. The enhanced treatment effect in the Dx+ subgroup from cohort 1 is being further evaluated in the Dx+ expansion cohort 2.

Disclosure

BES has served as a consultant for or received speaker’s fees from AbbVie, Abivax, Adiso Therapeutics, Alimentiv, Amgen, Arena Pharmaceuticals, Artizan Biosciences, Artugen Therapeutics, AstraZeneca, Bacainn Therapeutics, Biora Therapeutics, Boehringer Ingelheim, Boston Pharmaceuticals, Bristol Myers Squibb, Calibr, Celltrion Healthcare, ClostraBio, Connect Biopharma, Cytoki Pharma, Eli Lilly and Company, Entera, Evommune, Ferring, Fresenius Kabi, Galapagos, Gilead, Genentech, GSK, Gossamer Bio, HMP Acquisition, Imhotex, Immunic, InDex Pharmaceuticals, Innovation Pharmaceuticals, Inotrem, Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Janssen, Johnson & Johnson, Kaleido, Kallyope, Merck, MiroBio, Morphic Therapeutic, MRM Health, OSE Immunotherapeutics, Pfizer, Progenity, Prometheus Biosciences, Prometheus Laboratories, Protagonist Therapeutics, Q32 Bio, RedHill Biopharma, Sun Pharma Global, Surrozen, Synlogic, Takeda, Target RWE, Theravance Biopharma R&D, TLL Pharmaceutical, USWM Enterprises, Ventyx Biosciences, and Viela Bio and has received stock options from Ventyx Biosciences.
LPB has served as a consultant for or has received fees from AbbVie, Allergan, Alma, Amgen, Applied Molecular Transport, Arena, Biogen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, Celltrion Healthcare, Eli Lilly and Company, Enterome, Enthera, Ferring, Fresenius Kabi, Galapagos, Genentech, Gilead, Gossamer Bio, Hikma, Index Pharmaceuticals, Inotrem, Janssen, MSD, Mylan, Oppilan Pharma, OSE Immunotherapeutics, Nestlé, Norgine, Roche, Pandion Therapeutics, Pfizer, Pharmacosmos, Samsung Bioepis, Sandoz, sterna biologicals, Sublimity Therapeutics, Takeda, Theravance Biopharma, Tillotts Pharma, and Vifor; has received grants from AbbVie, Fresenius Kabi, MSD, and Takeda; and has stock options from CTMA.
SD has received consultancy fees from AbbVie, Alimentiv, Allergan, Amgen, Applied Molecular Transport, AstraZeneca, Athos Therapeutics, Biogen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, Celltrion Healthcare, Dr. Falk Pharma, Eli Lilly and Company, Enthera, Ferring, Gilead, Hospira, Inotrem, Janssen, Johnson & Johnson, Morphic, MSD, Mundipharma, Mylan, Pfizer, Roche, Sandoz, Sublimity Therapeutics, Takeda, Teladoc Health, TiGenix, UCB Inc., Vial, and Vifor and lecture fees from AbbVie, Amgen, Ferring, Gilead, Janssen, Mylan, Pfizer, and Takeda.
DTR has served as a consultant for AbbVie, AltruBio, Aslan Pharmaceuticals, Athos Therapeutics, Bellatrix Pharmaceuticals, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene Chronicles, Corp/Syneos, ClostraBio, Connect Biopharma, Eco R1, Eli Lilly and Company, Genentech/Roche, Gilead Sciences, Iterative Health, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Kaleido, Pfizer, Prometheus Biosciences, Reistone Biopharma, Seres Therapeutics, Takeda, Target RWE, and Trellus Health and has received grant support from Takeda, Helmsley Charitable Trust, and the Gastro-Intestinal Research Foundation.
SV has received grants from AbbVie, Galapagos, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, and Takeda and consulting and/or speaking fees from AbbVie, Abivax, AbolerIS Pharma, AgomAb, Alimentiv, Arena, AstraZeneca, Avaxia, Bristol Myers Squibb, Boehringer Ingelheim, Celgene, CVasThera, Cytoki Pharma, Dr. Falk Pharma, Ferring, Galapagos, Genentech/Roche, Gilead, GSK, Hospira, IMIDomics, Janssen, Johnson & Johnson, Eli Lilly and Company, Materia Prima, MiroBio, Morphic, MrMHealth, Mundipharma, MSD, Pfizer, ProDigest, Progenity, Prometheus, Robarts Clinical Trials, Second Genome, Shire, Surrozen, Takeda, Theravance, Tillotts Pharma, and Zealand Pharma.
OL, AL, DDN, and JDL are employees and shareholders of Prometheus Biosciences.
AWK has nothing to disclose.
JL has received speaker fees from AstraZeneca, MSD, Janssen, and Gilead and research grants from Johnson & Johnson.
RK has received grants from Janssen and Takeda.
JK has received consultation fees, research grants, or honoraria from AbbVie, Egis, Janssen, Nestlé, Nutricia, and Takeda.
CM has received consulting fees from AbbVie, Alimentiv, Amgen, AVIR Pharma, BIOJAMP, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celltrion Healthcare, Ferring, Fresenius Kabi, Janssen, McKesson, Mylan, Takeda, Pendopharm, Pfizer, Prometheus Biosciences, Roche, and Sanofi; speaker's fees from AbbVie, Amgen, AVIR Pharma, Alimentiv, Bristol Myers Squibb, Ferring, Fresenius Kabi, Janssen, Takeda, Pendopharm, and Pfizer; royalties from Springer Publishing; and research support from Ferring and Pfizer.
TER has been a speaker for Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Janssen, Pfizer, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Abbvie; has served on advisory boards for AbbVie, Ardelyx, Arena, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb/Celgene, Eli Lilly and Company, Ferring, Genentech/Roche, Gilead, Intercept, Iterative Scopes, Janssen, Pfizer, Prometheus Biosciences, Sanofi, and Takeda; and has been a shareholder for Iterative Scopes.
RP has been a consultant for Abbott, AbbVie, Abivax, Alimentiv (formerly Robarts), Amgen, Arena, AstraZeneca, Biogen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, Celltrion Healthcare, Cosmos Pharmaceuticals, Eisai, Elan, Eli Lilly and Company, Ferring, Galapagos, Fresenius Kabi, Genentech, Gilead Sciences, GSK, BIOJAMP, Janssen, Merck, Mylan, Novartis, Oppilan Pharma, Organon, Pandion, Pendopharm, Pfizer, Progenity, Prometheus Biosciences, Protagonist Therapeutics, Roche, Sandoz, Satisfai Health, Shire, Sublimity Therapeutics, Takeda, Theravance Biopharma, Trellus, Viatris, Ventyx, and UCB; has received speakers fees from AbbVie, Amgen, Arena, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly and Company, Ferring, Fresenius Kabi, Gilead Sciences, Janssen, Merck, Organon, Pfizer, Roche, Sandoz, Shire, and Takeda; and has served on advisory boards for AbbVie, Alimentiv (formerly Robarts), Amgen, Arena, AstraZeneca, Biogen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly and Company, Ferring, Fresenius Kabi, Genentech, Gilead Sciences, GSK, BIOJAMP, Janssen, Merck, Mylan, Novartis, Oppilan Pharma, Organon, Pandion Pharma, Pfizer, Progenity, Protagonist Therapeutics, Roche, Sandoz, Shire, Sublimity Therapeutics, Takeda, and Ventyx.
BGF has served as a consultant for AbbVie, AbolerIS Pharma, AgomAb, AllianThera, Amgen, AnaptysBio, Applied Molecular Transport, Arena, Avoro Capital Advisors, Atomwise, BIOJAMP, Biora Therapeutics, Boehringer Ingelheim, Boxer, Celsius Therapeutics, Bristol Myers Squibb/Celgene, Connect Biopharma, Cytoki, Disc Medicine, Duality, EcoR1 Capital, Eli Lilly and Company, Equillium, Ermium, First Wave, First Word Group, Galapagos, Galen Atlantica, Genentech/Roche, Gilead, Gossamer Bio, GSK, Hinge Bio, HotSpot Therapeutics, Index Pharma, Imhotex, Immunic Therapeutics, JAK Academy, Janssen, Japan Tobacco, Kaleido, Landos Biopharma, Leadiant, L.E.K. Consulting, Lenczner Slaght, LifeSci Capital, Lument AB, Millennium, MiroBio, Morgan Lewis, Morphic Therapeutics, Mylan, OM Pharma, Origo Biopharma, Orphagen, Pandion Pharma, Pendopharm, Pfizer, Prometheus Therapeutics, PlayToKnow AG, Progenity, Protagonist Therapeutics, PTM Therapeutics, Q32 Bio, Rebiotix, REDX, Roche, Sandoz, Sanofi, Seres Therapeutics, Silverback Therapeutics, Surrozen, Takeda, Teva, Thelium, TiGenix, Tillotts Pharma, Ventyx Biosciences, VHsquared, Viatris, Ysios, Ysopia, Zealand Pharma; on the speaker’s bureau for AbbVie, Janssen, and Takeda; and on advisory boards for AbbVie, Amgen, AMT, AnaptysBio, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb/Celgene, Eli Lilly and Company, Genentech/Roche, Janssen, MiroBio, Origo BioPharma, Pfizer, Prometheus, REDX, Sanofi, Takeda, Tillotts Pharma, Teva, Progenity, Index, EcoR1 Capital, Morphic, GSK, and Axio Research.
ST has received consulting fees from Robarts Clinical Trials and Prometheus Biosciences and owns stock in Prometheus Biosciences; is a member of steering committees of Janssen, AbbVie, Boehringer Ingelheim, Gilead, Celgene, and Bristol Meyers Squibb; has received speaker honoraria from AbbVie, Takeda, Janssen, Ferring, Pfizer, and Celltrion; and has served on advisory committees of Janssen, Takeda, AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Gilead, Galapagos, and Roche.
DPBM has received consulting fees from Prometheus Biosciences, Prometheus Laboratories, Gilead Sciences, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Pfizer, Prometheus Laboratories, Takeda, Palatin Technologies, and owns stock in Prometheus Biosciences.

Introduction

The co-occurrence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and type 1 diabetes (T1D) has been linked to poor clinical outcomes. However, few longitudinal studies have explored their temporal relationships.

Aims & Methods

This study aimed to investigate the bidirectional association between IBD and T1D. In this nationwide cohort and case-control study, patients with biopsy-confirmed IBD were identified between 1987 and 2017. The cohort included 20,314 patients with IBD (≤28 years; Crohn’s disease [CD, n=7,277], ulcerative colitis [UC, n=10,112], and IBD-unclassified [IBD-U, n=2,925]) and individually matched reference individuals from the general population (n=99,200). The case-control study enrolled 87,001 patients with IBD and 431,054 matched controls. We estimated adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) of incident T1D by IBD status with flexible parametric survival models and adjusted odds ratios (aORs) of IBD by history of T1D with conditional logistic regression, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The familial factors from genetics and early environmental factors were additionally accounted for via sibling comparisons.

Results

In the cohort, during a median follow-up of 14 years, 116 patients with IBD and 353 reference individuals developed T1D. Patients with IBD had a higher incidence of T1D than reference individuals (incidence rate:3.7 vs. 2.3 per 10,000 person-years; aHR=1.58[95%CI=1.27 to 1.95]). The HR was increased in patients with UC (aHR=2.02[1.51 to 2.70]) but not in those with CD (aHR=1.11[0.76 to 1.64]) or IBD-unclassified (aHR=1.48[0.82 to 2.69]). In the case-control study, a total of 1,018 IBD patients and 3,496 controls had been diagnosed with T1D. Compared with controls, patients with IBD tend to have higher odds of having previous T1D (aOR=1.36[95%CI=1.26 to 1.46]). Such positive association was observed in all IBD subtypes. Comparisons with siblings showed similar associations (aHR=1.44 [0.97 to 2.15] and aOR=1.32 [1.18 to 1.49]).

Conclusion

Patients with IBD had a moderately increased incidence of developing T1D and higher odds of having a previous diagnosis of T1D. These findings demonstrate a bidirectional association between IBD and T1D independent of shared genetics and early environmental factors.

Disclosure

All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form and declare:
OO has been PI on projects at Karolinska Institutet financed by grants from Janssen, Pfizer, AbbVie, Takeda, Bristol Myer Squibb and Ferring, and Karolinska Institutet has received fees for lectures and participation on advisory boards from Janssen, Ferring, Galapagos, Bristol Myer Squibb, Takeda, and Pfizer. OO also reports grants from Pfizer, Janssen, Galapagos, and AbbVie in the context of a national safety monitoring programs.

JH served as speaker and/or advisory board member for AbbVie, Aqilion, BMS, Celgene, Celltrion, Dr Falk Pharma and the Falk Foundation, Eli Lilly, Ferring, Galapagos, Gilead, Hospira, Index Pharma, Janssen, MEDA, Medivir, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Prometheus Laboratories Inc., Sandoz, Shire, STADA, Takeda, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Tillotts Pharma, Vifor Pharma, UCB and received grant support from Janssen, MSD and Takeda.

FE has served as an advisory board member for Boehringer Ingelheim.

JFL has coordinated a study on behalf of the Swedish IBD quality register (SWIBREG). That study received funding from Janssen Corporation. JFL has also received financial support from MSD developing a paper reviewing national healthcare registers in China. JFL has a research collaboration on celiac disease with Takeda.

The other authors report no disclosures relevant to the manuscript.

Introduction

The Phase 2 GALAXI 1 study evaluated the efficacy and safety of guselkumab (GUS), a human selective IL-23p19 subunit antagonist, in patients (pts) with moderate to severe Crohn’s disease (CD). Pts were randomized to GUS, ustekinumab (UST), or placebo (PBO) through Week (Wk) 48 without rerandomization after IV induction. Previously, we reported that pts who were in clinical response after IV induction had higher rates of clinical and endoscopic outcomes at Wk48 than the overall study population.¹ In this post hoc analysis, we report outcomes for pts who did not achieve Wk12 clinical response based on CD activity index (CDAI) after IV induction.

Aims & Methods

Pts were randomized 1:1:1:1:1 to induction with GUS 200, 600, or 1200mg IV, UST ~6mg/kg IV, or PBO IV. At Wk12 (Wk8 for UST), pts were transitioned to maintenance dosing: GUS 200mg IV→100mg subcutaneous (SC) q8w, GUS 600mg IV→200mg SC q4w, GUS 1200mg IV→200mg SC q4w, UST ~6mg/kg IV→90mg SC q8w, PBO nonresponders→UST ~6mg/kg IV→90mg SC q8w, and PBO responders→PBO SC q4w. Clinical response (all time points) was defined as ≥100-point reduction from baseline in CDAI or CDAI <150. Other endpoints included clinical remission (CDAI <150), pt-reported outcome (PRO)-2 remission (unweighted CDAI components of average daily abdominal pain score ≤1 and average daily stool frequency ≤3, and no worsening from baseline), and endoscopic response (≥50% improvement from baseline in simple endoscopic score [SES]-CD or SES-CD ≤2). The study was not powered to evaluate between-group efficacy differences at Wk48; UST was used for reference.

Results

Table. Efficacy Outcomes Among Patients Not in Clinical Responsea at Week 12
Outcome, %b, c	Week	Combined Guselkumab (N=63)	Ustekinumab (N=21)
Clinical responsea	16 / 20 / 24	36.5 / 47.6 / 46.0	42.9 / 52.4 / 52.4
	28 / 32 / 36	47.6 / 54.0 / 50.8	42.9 / 47.6 / 57.1
	40 / 44	54.0 / 52.4	52.4 / 47.6
	48	58.7	47.6
Clinical remissiond	48	41.3	33.3
PRO-2 remissione	48	42.9	23.8
Endoscopic responsef	48	31.7	23.8
AP=abdominal pain; CD=Crohn’s disease; CDAI=Crohn’s disease activity index; PRO-2=Patient-reported CDAI components of abdominal pain and stool frequency; SES-CD=Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn’s Disease; SF=stool frequency. a Clinical response was defined as ≥100-point reduction from baseline in CDAI or CDAI <150. b Patients who had a prohibited change in concomitant CD medication, a CD-related surgery, or discontinued study agent due to lack of efficacy, or an adverse event of worsening CD prior to the designated analysis timepoint, were considered not to have achieved the endpoint. c Patients who had insufficient data to calculate the outcome measure at the designated analysis timepoint were considered not to have achieved the endpoint. d Clinical remission was defined as a CDAI <150. e PRO-2 remission was defined as unweighted CDAI component of average daily AP pain score ≤1 and the unweighted CDAI component of average daily SF ≤3, and no worsening of AP or SF from baseline. f Endoscopic response was defined as ≥50% improvement from baseline in SES-CD or SES-CD ≤2.

At Wk12, 63/185 (34.1%) GUS pts and 21/63 (33.3%) UST did not achieve CDAI clinical response. Among GUS Wk12 nonresponders, 46.0% were in clinical response by Wk24 (Table). Percentages of Wk12 nonresponders who went on to achieve outcomes at Wk48 in the GUS and UST groups, respectively, were as follows: clinical response, 58.7% and 47.6%; clinical remission, 41.3% and 33.3%; PRO-2 remission, 42.9% and 23.8%; and endoscopic response, 31.7% and 23.8% (Table).

Conclusion

Pts not responding to IV induction with GUS may benefit from continued SC dosing. Among pts who did not achieve clinical response at Wk12, continued treatment with GUS SC resulted in nearly half achieving clinical response at Wk24. At Wk48, a majority achieved clinical response, >40% achieved either clinical remission or PRO-2 remission, and >30% achieved endoscopic response.

References

1. Panés J, et al. UEG Journal 2022; 10 (Suppl 8).

Disclosure

RP reports consulting fees, speaker fees, or research support from Abbott, AbbVie, Abbivax, Alimentiv (formerly Robarts), Amgen, Arena Pharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca, Biogen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, Celltrion, Cosmos Pharmaceuticals, Eisai, Elan, Eli Lilly, Ferring, Galapagos, Fresenius Kabi, Genentech, Gilead Sciences, Glaxo-Smith Kline, JAMP Bio, Janssen, Merck, Mylan, Novartis, Oppilan Pharma, Organon, Pandion Pharma, Pendopharm, Pfizer, Progenity, Prometheus Biosciences, Protagonist Therapeutics, Roche, Sandoz, Satisfai Health, Shire, Sublimity Therapeutics, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Theravance Biopharma, Trellus, Viatris, Ventyx, and UCB.
AA reports consulting fees from AbbVie, Takeda, Janssen, Bristol Myers Squibb/Celgene, Pfizer, Eli Lilly, Gilead, DiaSorin, and TLL Pharmaceuticals; reports speaker fees from Abbvie, Takeda, Janssen, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Pfizer; has served on advisory boards for Abbvie, Takeda, Janssen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Pfizer, Eli Lilly, and Gilead; has received research/education support from AbbVie, Janssen, Pfizer, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Takeda; and is the co-founder of IBD Horizons.
GRDH served as advisor for Abbvie, Ablynx, Amakem, Amgen, AM Pharma, Avaxia, Biogen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Boehringer Ingelheim, Celgene/Receptos, Celltrion, Cosmo, Covidien/Medtronics, Ferring, DrFALK Pharma, Eli Lilly, Engene, Galapagos, Genentech/Roche, Gilead, Glaxo-Smith Kline, Immunic, Johnson and Johnson, Lycera, Medimetrics, Millenium/Takeda, Mitsubishi Pharma, Merck Sharp Dome, Mundipharma, Nextbiotics, Novonordisk, Otsuka, Pfizer/Hospira, Prometheus laboratories/Nestle, Protagonist, Robarts Clinical Trials, Salix, Samsung Bioepis, Sandoz, Setpoint, Shire, Teva, Tigenix, Tillotts, Topivert, Versant, and Vifor; and has received speaker fees from Abbvie, Biogen, Ferring, Johnson and Johnson, Merck Sharp Dome, Mundipharma, Norgine, Pfizer, Samsung Bioepis, Shire, Millenium/Takeda, Tillotts, and Vifor.
LS, NAT, AS, MEF, and ZY are employees of Janssen Research & Development, LLC and own stock/stock options.
EZ reports receiving research support and consulting fees from Janssen, AbbVie, Takeda, Neopharm, Celgene, and Pfizer.
SD reports receiving consulting fees from Allergan, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Biogen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Celgene, Celltrion Healthcare, Ferring, Gilead Sciences, Hospira, Inc., Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Johnson & Johnson Health Care Systems, Inc., Pfizer, Sandoz, UCB, and Vifor International Inc.
TH has performed joint research with Alfresa Pharma Co. Ltd., and EA Pharma Co. Ltd.; has received grant support from Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, EA Pharma Co. Ltd., AbbVie GK, JIMRO Co. Ltd., Zeria Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Daiichi-Sankyo, Kyorin Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Nippon Kayaku Co. Ltd., Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Pfizer Inc., Mochida Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., and JIMRO Co. Ltd; has received consulting fees from EA Pharma Co. Ltd., AbbVie GK, Celgene K.K., Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K., Pfizer Inc., and Nichi-Iko Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd; and has received lecture fees from Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, AbbVie GK, EA pharma Co. Ltd., Kyorin Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., JIMRO Co., Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K., Mochida Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., and Pfizer Inc.