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Background Ustekinumab has been recently approved for the treatment of moderately to severe ulcerative colitis (UC). Data from the UNIFI clinical trial are encouraging; nevertheless, real-world assessment is needed. We assess the effectiveness, safety and pharmacokinetics of ustekinumab in a cohort of refractory UC patients. Methods Multicentre and observational study of UC patients who received ustekinumab for active disease. Values for Partial Mayo Score (PMS), endoscopic activity, C reactive protein (CRP) and faecal calprotectin (FC) were recorded at baseline and at weeks 8, 24 and 52 weeks and at 18 and 24 months when was possible. Demographic and clinical data, previous treatments, adverse events (AEs), surgeries and hospitalizations were documented. Possible predictors of response were examined. Results One hundred and eight patients were analyzed (Table 1). Two patients only received the first IV dose. During follow-up, 58 patients (54%) required interval reduction (every 4 weeks (76%) and every 6 weeks (24%)) after a median of 22.3 weeks [11.6, 41.2]. Intravenous reinduction doses were administered to 20 (18.5%) after 27.7 weeks [6.64, 56.3]. Three patients required a maintenance therapy with IV administration. The clinical remission (PMS≤ 2) rates were 39.6%, 41%, 51% at 8, 24 and 52 weeks, respectively, and 61%, and 57.7% at 18 and 24 months, respectively. FC levels returned to normal ( Fewer previous anti-TNF agents and the loss of response to anti-TNF were associated with clinical response and with normalization of FC respectively. No variables at baseline (body mass index, serum albumin, and lymphocytes count) were associated with ustekinumab through levels. Of the 17 patients with endoscopy before and after treatment, 6 were in remission and 3 with mild activity. The AEs were recorded in 5 (4.6%) patients, 12 (11%) were hospitalized and 9 (8.3%) had surgery. A total of 23 patients (21%) discontinued ustekinumab over time, the persistence rates were 98%, 91%, 83% and 81% at 8, 24, 48 and 96 weeks respectively. Conclusion This is the first study to show the real-world long-term effectiveness, persistence, endoscopic improvement and safety of ustekinumab in a cohort of highly refractory UC patients. The clinical remission preceded the FC normalization. Ustekinumab through levels and their pharmacokinetic require further investigations.

Background Recently, a subcutaneous formulation of biosimilar infliximab (CT-P13) (SC-IFX) has been approved for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aims of this study were to evaluate efficacy, safety, pharmacokinetics and patient experience following a switching to SC-IFX in patients who are in clinical remission on IV-IFX maintenance treatment. Methods Multicentre, descriptive, and observational study including Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) patients who were going to be changed from IV-IFX to SC-IFX on the ENEIDA registry (a large, prospectively maintained database of the Spanish Working Group in IBD–GETECCU). All patients were on clinical and biological remission at least 24 weeks before changing. Demographic and disease data, clinical activity (Harvey-Bradshaw index for CD and mayo index for UC), analytical data (C reactive protein (CRP) and fecal calprotectin (FC), as well as trough levels were collected at baseline, at 12 and 24 weeks. Results One hundred and fifty-five patients were included: 54 UC (35%) and 91 (65%) CD; 44% women and 56% men; age 45.5 years (32-55). IV-IFX was mainly administered due to active disease (72%) and perianal disease (7%) and during 32 months [range 14-56]. Pre-switch, 78 (50.3%) were on 8-weekly dosing of IV-IFX, 77 (49.7%) were with intensification dose and the half (50.3%) were on concomitant immunomodulatory therapy. SC-IFX was mainly switching by COVID-19 pandemic (60%), to increase through levels (15%) or patient request (25%). The majority of patients (140, 90%) remained with standard dose, 8 (5%) required dose intensification (120 mg weekly in 4 and 240 mg every 2 weeks in 4) and 7 (4.5%) had successful de-escalation (120 mg every 3 weeks in 4 and 120 mg every 4 weeks in 3). Clinical indices, CRP levels and FC remained unchanged (Figure). Median SC-IFX levels significantly increased from baseline of 4.5 μg/dl [range 2.6-9.2] to 14 μg/dl [range 9.5-16.2] at week 12 and 13.2 μg/dl [range 10.4-19.7] at week 24. No factors (immunossupresor, body mass index, disease location) were associated with the increase of IFX trough levels. During 24 weeks of follow-up, 16 of the 78 patients (20.5%) stopped immunosuppressant treatment. The adverse events were recorded in 9 patients (5.8%), 4 (2.6%) were hospitalized and 4 (2.6%) had surgery (one of them for perianal disease). Nine patients (5.8%) stopped SC-IFX (1 primary failure, 2 loss of response, 4 adverse events, 1 voluntarily, and 1 surgery). Conclusion The switch from IV to SC IFX maintains clinical remission safely in IBD patients, offers higher drug levels and a good patient acceptance. However, the significance of higher drug levels with SC-IFX requires further exploration.

Background There are limited data of long-term ustekinumab administered according to the doses recommended in the UNITI studies. The objective of this study was to assess the real-world, long-term effectiveness of ustekinumab in refractory Crohn’s disease (CD) (LONG-CROHNUSK Study). Methods Multicentre study of CD patients starting ustekinumab at the recommended dose based on weight ~6 mg/kg IV week 0, 90 mg SC week 8 and maintenance 90 mg SC every 8 or 12 weeks and with 1 year of follow-up. Values for Harvey-Bradshaw Index (HBI), endoscopic activity, C reactive protein (CRP) and faecal calprotectin (FC) were recorded at baseline and at weeks 26 and 52. Demographic and clinical data, previous treatments, adverse events (AEs), surgeries and hospitalisations were documented. Potential predictors of clinical and endoscopic remission were examined. Results Four hundred and seven patients were analysed (Table 1). For the maintenance dose, ustekinumab 90 mg was administered SC every 12, 8 and 4 weeks in 56 (14%), 318 (84.5%) and 7 (1.5%) patients, respectively. An interval reduction was applied for 118 patients (29%). Before 52 weeks, treatment discontinuation occurred in 71 patients (17%). At baseline, 295 (72%) had an HBI >4 points. Of these, 169 (57%) and 190 (64%) achieved clinical remission at weeks 26 and 52, respectively. FC levels returned to normal ( Conclusion This is the first study to show the real-world long-term effectiveness, endoscopic improvement and safety of ustekinumab administered according to the recommended induction regimen in a cohort of highly refractory CD patients.