Therapeutic drug monitoring in inflammatory bowel disease : implementation, utilization, and barriers in clinical practice in Scandinavia

Background and aims Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) may optimize biologic and thiopurine therapies in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The study aimed to investigate implementation and utilization of TDM in Scandinavia. Methods A web-based questionnaire on the use of TDM was distributed to Scandinavian gastroenterologists via the national societies. Results In total, 297 IBD physicians prescribing biologic therapies, equally distributed between community and university hospitals, were included (response rate 42%) (Norway 118 (40%), Denmark 86 (29%), Sweden 50 (17%), Finland 33 (11%), Iceland 10 (3%)). Overall, TDM was applied during biologic therapies by 87%, and for TNF-inhibitors >90%. Among the users, reactive and proactive TDM were utilized by 90% and 63%, respectively. Danish physicians were significantly less inclined to use TDM compared to other Scandinavian countries; (58% vs 98%); OR 0.03 [0.01-0.09], p 10 IBD patients/week (p = 0.005). TDM scenarios were interpreted in accord with available evidence but with discrepancies for proactive TDM. The main barriers to TDM were lack of guidelines (51%) and time lag between sampling and results (49%). TDM of thiopurines was routinely used by 87%. Conclusion TDM of biologic and thiopurine therapies has been broadly implemented into clinical practice in Scandinavia. However, physicians call for TDM guidelines detailing indications and interpretations of test results along with improved test response times.Peer reviewe

Comparative efficacy and safety of infliximab and vedolizumab therapy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease : a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and aims There are limited comparative data for infliximab and vedolizumab in inflammatory bowel disease patients. Methods We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the efficacy and safety of infliximab and vedolizumab in adult patients with moderate-to-severe Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. Results We identified six eligible Crohn's disease and seven eligible ulcerative colitis trials that randomised over 1900 participants per disease cohort to infliximab or vedolizumab. In the Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis cohorts, infliximab yielded better efficacy than vedolizumab for all analysed outcomes (CDAI-70, CDAI-100 responses, and clinical remission for Crohn's disease and clinical response and clinical remission for ulcerative colitis) during the induction phase, with non-overlapping 95% confidence intervals. In the maintenance phase, similar proportions of infliximab- or vedolizumab-treated patients achieved clinical response, clinical remission, or mucosal healing in both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. For the safety outcomes, rates of adverse events, serious adverse events, and discontinuations due to adverse events were similar in infliximab- and vedolizumab-treated patients in both diseases. The infection rate was higher in infliximab for Crohn's disease and higher in vedolizumab when treating patients with ulcerative colitis. There was no difference between the treatments in the proportions of patients who reported serious infections in both indications. Conclusions Indirect comparison of infliximab and vedolizumab trials in adult patients with moderate-to severe Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis demonstrated that infliximab has better efficacy in the induction phase and comparable efficacy during the maintenance phase and overall safety profile compared to vedolizumab.Peer reviewe

Characterisation of the Circulating Transcriptomic Landscape in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Provides Evidence for Dysregulation of Multiple Transcription Factors Including NFE2, SPI1, CEBPB, and IRF2

Aim To assess the pathobiological and translational importance of whole-blood transcriptomic analysis in inflammatory bowel disease [IBD]. Methods We analysed whole-blood expression profiles from paired-end sequencing in a discovery cohort of 590 Europeans recruited across six countries in the IBD Character initiative (newly diagnosed patients with Crohns disease [CD; n = 156], ulcerative colitis [UC; n = 167], and controls [n = 267]), exploring differential expression [DESeq2], co-expression networks [WGCNA], and transcription factor involvement [EPEE, ChEA, DoRothEA]. Findings were validated by analysis of an independent replication cohort [99 CD, 100 UC, 95 controls]. In the discovery cohort, we also defined baseline expression correlates of future treatment escalation using cross-validated elastic-net and random forest modelling, along with a pragmatic ratio detection procedure. Results Disease-specific transcriptomes were defined in IBD [8697 transcripts], CD [7152], and UC [8521], with the most highly significant changes in single genes, including CD177 (log(2)-fold change [LFC] = 4.63, p = 4.05 x 10(-118)), MCEMP1 [LFC = 2.45, p = 7.37 x 10(-109)], and S100A12 [LFC = 2.31, p = 2.15 x 10(-93)]. Significantly over-represented pathways included IL-1 [p = 1.58 x 10(-11)], IL-4, and IL-13 [p = 8.96 x 10(-9)]. Highly concordant results were obtained using multiple regulatory activity inference tools applied to the discovery and replication cohorts. These analyses demonstrated central roles in IBD for the transcription factors NFE2, SPI1 [PU.1], CEBPB, and IRF2, all regulators of cytokine signalling, based on a consistent signal across cohorts and transcription factor ranking methods. A number of simple transcriptome-based models were associated with the need for treatment escalation, including the binary CLEC5A/CDH2 expression ratio in UC (hazard ratio = 23.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.3-102.0). Conclusions Transcriptomic analysis has allowed for a detailed characterisation of IBD pathobiology, with important potential translational implications.Funding Agencies|European Unions Seventh Framework Programme [FP7] grant IBD Character [2858546]; Polish National Science Centre [2017/25/B/NZ5/02783]</p

Systemic Inflammation in Preclinical Ulcerative Colitis

BACKGROUND &amp; AIMS: Preclinical ulcerative colitis is poorly defined. We aimed to characterize the preclinical systemic inflammation in ulcerative colitis, using a comprehensive set of proteins. METHODS: We obtained plasma samples biobanked from individuals who developed ulcerative colitis later in life (n = 72) and matched healthy controls (n = 140) within a population-based screening cohort. We measured 92 proteins related to inflammation using a proximity extension assay. The biologic relevance of these findings was validated in an inception cohort of patients with ulcerative colitis (n = 101) and healthy controls (n = 50). To examine the influence of genetic and environmental factors on these markers, a cohort of healthy twin siblings of patients with ulcerative colitis (n = 41) and matched healthy controls (n = 37) were explored. RESULTS: Six proteins (MMP10, CXCL9, CCL11, SLAMF1, CXCL11 and MCP-1) were up-regulated (P &amp;lt; .05) in preclinical ulcerative colitis compared with controls based on both univariate and multivariable models. Ingenuity Pathway Analyses identified several potential key regulators, including interleukin-1 beta, tumor necrosis factor, interferon-gamma, oncostatin M, nuclear factor-kappa B, interleukin-6, and interleukin-4. For validation, we built a multivariable model to predict disease in the inception cohort. The model discriminated treatment-naive patients with ulcerative colitis from controls with leave-one-out cross-validation (area under the curve = 0.92). Consistently, MMP10, CXCL9, CXCL11, and MCP1, but not CCL11 and SLAMF1, were significantly up-regulated among the healthy twin siblings, even though their relative abundances seemed higher in incident ulcerative colitis. CONCLUSIONS: A set of inflammatory proteins are up-regulated several years before a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis. These proteins were highly predictive of an ulcerative colitis diagnosis, and some seemed to be up-regulated already at exposure to genetic and environmental risk factors.Funding Agencies|Vasterbotten County Council; Swedish Research CouncilSwedish Research CouncilEuropean Commission [2020-02021, VR 2017-00650]; EU FP7 grant: IBD-CHARACTER [2858546]; Bengt Ihre research foundation; Orebro University Hospital Research Foundation [OLL-709831, OLL-936004, OLL-890291, OLL-790011, OLL-723021]; Swedish Foundation For Strategic ResearchSwedish Foundation for Strategic Research [RB13-016]</p

Immunogenicity and safety of a three-dose SARS-CoV-2 vaccination strategy in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases on immunosuppressive therapy

Objectives Humoral vaccine responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are impaired and short lasting in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMID) following two vaccine doses. To protect these vulnerable patients against severe COVID-19 disease, a three-dose primary vaccination strategy has been implemented in many countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate humoral response and safety of primary vaccination with three doses in patients with IMID.Methods Patients with IMID on immunosuppressive therapy and healthy controls receiving three-dose and two-dose primary SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, respectively, were included in this prospective observational cohort study. Anti-Spike antibodies were assessed 2–4 weeks, and 12 weeks following each dose. The main outcome was anti-Spike antibody levels 2–4 weeks following three doses in patients with IMID and two doses in controls. Additional outcomes were the antibody decline rate and adverse events.Results 1100 patients and 303 controls were included. Following three-dose vaccination, patients achieved median (IQR) antibody levels of 5720 BAU/mL (2138–8732) compared with 4495 (1591–6639) in controls receiving two doses, p=0.27. Anti-Spike antibody levels increased with median 1932 BAU/mL (IQR 150–4978) after the third dose. The interval between the vaccine doses and vaccination with mRNA-1273 or a combination of vaccines were associated with antibody levels following the third dose. Antibody levels had a slower decline-rate following the third than the second vaccine dose, p&lt;0.001. Adverse events were reported by 464 (47%) patients and by 196 (78%) controls. Disease flares were reported by 70 (7%) patients.Conclusions This study shows that additional vaccine doses to patients with IMID contribute to strong and sustained immune-responses comparable to healthy persons vaccinated twice, and supports repeated vaccination of patients with IMID.Trial registration number NCT04798625

The Future of Biosimilars: Maximizing Benefits Across Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases

Biologics have transformed the treatment of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Biosimilars-biologic medicines with no clinically meaningful differences in safety or efficacy from licensed originators-can stimulate market competition and have the potential to expand patient access to biologics within the parameters of treatment recommendations. However, maximizing the benefits of biosimilars requires cooperation between multiple stakeholders. Regulators and developers should collaborate to ensure biosimilars reach patients rapidly without compromising stringent quality, safety, or efficacy standards. Pharmacoeconomic evaluations and payer policies should be updated following biosimilar market entry, minimizing the risk of imposing nonmedical barriers to biologic treatment. In RA, disparities between treatment guidelines and national reimbursement criteria could be addressed to ensure more uniform patient access to biologics and enable rheumatologists to effectively implement treat-to-target strategies. In IBD, the cost-effectiveness of biologic treatment earlier in the disease course is likely to improve when biosimilars are incorporated into pharmacoeconomic analyses. Patient understanding of biosimilars is crucial for treatment success and avoiding nocebo effects. Full understanding of biosimilars by physicians and carefully considered communication strategies can help support patients initiating or switching to biosimilars. Developers must operate efficiently to be sustainable, without undermining product quality, the reliability of the supply chain, or pharmacovigilance. Developers should also facilitate information sharing to meet the needs of other stakeholders. Such collaboration will help to ensure a sustainable future for both the biosimilar market and healthcare systems, supporting the availability of effective treatments for patients.status: publishe

Mucosal Gene Transcript Signatures in Treatment Naive Inflammatory Bowel Disease : A Comparative Analysis of Disease to Symptomatic and Healthy Controls in the European IBD-Character Cohort

Background: Studies of the mucosal transcriptomic landscape have given new insight into the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Recently, the predictive biomarker potential of gene expression signatures has been explored. To further investigate the mucosal gene expression in IBD, we recruited a cohort of treatment naive patients and compared them to both symptomatic and healthy controls. Methods: Altogether, 323 subjects were included: Crohns disease (N = 75), ulcerative colitis (N = 87) and IBD unclassified (N = 3). Additionally, there were two control groups: symptomatic controls (N = 131) and healthy controls (N = 27). Mucosal biopsies were collected during ileocolonoscopy and gene expression in inflamed and non-inflamed mucosa was explored. Gene expression profiling was performed using Agilent G3 Human Gene Expression 860K v3 One-Color microarray. We recorded information about treatment escalation to anti-TNF agents or surgery, and anti-TNF response, to explore predictive opportunities of the mucosal transcriptome. Results: Gene expression profiles in symptomatic controls in whom IBD had been excluded resembled that of IBD patients and diverged from that of healthy controls. In non-inflamed Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis, gene set enrichment analysis revealed dysregulation of pathways involved in basic cellular biological processes. Mitochondria-associated pathways were dysregulated both in non-inflamed and inflamed Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis (&amp;gt;2.6 normalized enrichment scores &amp;lt;-1.8). Gene expression signatures of Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis did not predict time for treatment escalation (p = 0.175). No significant association was found between gene expression signatures and anti-TNF response. Conclusion: Non-inflamed samples are probably superior to inflamed samples when exploring gene expression signatures in IBD and might reveal underlying mechanisms central for disease initiation. The gene expression signatures of the control groups were related to if they were symptomatic or not, which may have important implications for future study designs.Funding Agencies|EU FP7 grant: IBD-CHARACTER [2858546]; South-Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority [2014011, 2018001]</p

Fecal microbiota profiles in treatment-naive pediatric inflammatory bowel disease : associations with disease phenotype, treatment, and outcome

Purpose: Imbalance in the microbiota, dysbiosis, has been identified in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We explored the fecal microbiota in pediatric patients with treatment-naive IBD, non-IBD patients with gastrointestinal symptoms and healthy children, its relation to IBD subgroups, and treatment outcomes. Patients and methods: Fecal samples were collected from 235 children below 18 years of age. Eighty children had Crohns disease (CD), 27 ulcerative colitis (UC), 3 IBD unclassified, 50 were non-IBD symptomatic patients, and 75 were healthy. The bacterial abundance of 54 predefined DNA markers was measured with a 16S rRNA DNA-based test using GA-Map (TM) technology at diagnosis and after therapy in IBD patients. Results: Bacterial abundance was similarly reduced in IBD and non-IBD patients in 51 of 54 markers compared to healthy patients (Pamp;lt;0.001). Only Prevotella was more abundant in patients (Pamp;lt;0.01). IBD patients with ileocolitis or total colitis had more Ruminococcus gnavus (P=0.02) than patients with colonic CD or left-sided UC. CD patients with upper gastrointestinal manifestations had higher Veillonella abundance (Pamp;lt;0.01). IBD patients (58%) who received biologic therapy had lower baseline Firmicutes and Mycoplasma hominis abundance (Pamp;lt;0.01) than conventionally treated. High Proteobacteria abundance was associated with stricturing/penetrating CD, surgery (Pamp;lt;0.01), and nonmucosal healing (Pamp;lt;0.03). Low Faecalibacterium prausnitzii abundance was associated with prior antibiotic therapy (P=0.001), surgery (P=0.02), and nonmucosal healing (Pamp;lt;0.03). After therapy, IBD patients had unchanged dysbiosis. Conclusion: Fecal microbiota profiles differentiated IBD and non-IBD symptomatic children from healthy children, but displayed similar dysbiosis in IBD and non-IBD symptomatic patients. Pretreatment fecal microbiota profiles may be of prognostic value and aid in treatment individualization in pediatric IBD as severe dysbiosis was associated with an extensive, complicated phenotype, biologic therapy, and nonmucosal healing. The dysbiosis persisted after therapy, regardless of treatments and mucosal healing