Loftus, Edward V

Abstract Background and Aims Corticosteroid-free remission is an important treatment goal for patients with ulcerative colitis [UC]. The corticosteroid-sparing effects of filgotinib, an oral, Janus kinase 1 preferential inhibitor, were assessed in SELECTION, a placebo-controlled, phase 2b/3 trial in moderately to severely active UC. Methods These post hoc analyses assessed 1-, 3-, 6-, and 8-month rates of corticosteroid-free clinical remission at Week 58 and change in median daily prednisone-equivalent dose over time. A matching-adjusted indirect comparison [MAIC] of maintenance studies assessed corticosteroid-free remission with filgotinib 200 mg, intravenous vedolizumab, subcutaneous vedolizumab, and oral tofacitinib. Results The Maintenance Study full analysis set included 199 patients receiving filgotinib 200 mg and 98 receiving placebo. Among patients receiving corticosteroids at Maintenance Study baseline, at Week 58, 30.4%, 29.3%, 27.2%, and 21.7% receiving filgotinib had been in corticosteroid-free remission for ≥1, ≥3, ≥6, or ≥8 months, respectively, versus 6.4% receiving placebo across thresholds [p <0.05]. Median daily prednisone-equivalent dose decreased from 17.5 mg/day to 10.0 mg/day with filgotinib treatment during the Maintenance Study. Based upon the MAIC, filgotinib was associated with greater likelihood of corticosteroid-free clinical remission versus intravenous vedolizumab (odds ratio [OR], 15.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.6–139.9; p <0.05]) and similar odds to subcutaneous vedolizumab [OR, 3.8; CI, 0.2–63.8; p = 0.36] in biologic-naïve patients, and similar odds to tofacitinib overall [OR, 2.0; 0.4–9.1; p = 0.39]. Conclusions Filgotinib 200 mg demonstrated corticosteroid-sparing effects and maintained corticosteroid-free clinical remission in patients with UC. MAIC results should be interpreted cautiously given the large CIs and differences in study design and patient populations. [ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02914522].

Abstract Research on the care of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients has been primarily in populations of European ancestry. However, the incidence of IBD, which comprises Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, is increasing in different populations around the world. In this comprehensive review, we examine the epidemiology, clinical presentations, disease phenotypes, treatment outcomes, social determinants of health, and genetic and environmental factors in the pathogenesis of IBD in Black and Hispanic patients in the United States. To improve health equity of underserved minorities with IBD, we identified the following priority areas: access to care, accurate assessment of treatment outcomes, incorporation of Black and Hispanic patients in therapeutic clinical trials, and investigation of environmental factors that lead to the increase in disease incidence.

Abstract Background Tofacitinib is an oral, small molecule Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). Patients with inflammatory bowel disease are susceptible to Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). Here, we evaluate CDI in the tofacitinib UC clinical program. Methods Events from 4 randomized, placebo-controlled studies (phase [P] 2 or P3 induction [NCT00787202; NCT01465763; NCT01458951], P3 maintenance [NCT01458574]) and an open-label, long-term extension (OLE) study (NCT01470612), were analyzed as 3 cohorts: Induction (P2/P3 induction), Maintenance (P3 maintenance), and Overall (patients receiving tofacitinib 5 or 10 mg twice daily [BID] in P2, P3, and OLE studies; including final data from the OLE study, as of August 24, 2020). Proportions and incidence rates (unique patients with events per 100 patient-years of exposure) of CDI were evaluated. Results The overall cohort comprised 1157 patients who received ≥1 dose of tofacitinib 5 or 10 mg BID, with a total of 2814.4 patient-years of tofacitinib exposure and up to 7.8 years of treatment. A total of 82.6% of patients received predominantly tofacitinib 10 mg BID. In the induction, maintenance, and overall cohorts, 3 (2 tofacitinib treated, 1 placebo treated), 3 (all placebo treated), and 9 patients had CDI, respectively; the overall cohort incidence rate was 0.31 (95% confidence interval, 0.14-0.59). CDI were all mild–moderate in severity and resolved with treatment in 8 patients. Six of 9 patients continued tofacitinib treatment without interruption. Two patients had events reported as serious due to hospitalization. Two patients were receiving corticosteroids when the CDI occurred. Conclusion CDIs among patients with UC receiving tofacitinib were infrequent, cases were mild–moderate in severity, and most resolved with treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is a common cause of hospitalization worldwide. We assessed temporal trends in hospitalization for PUD in 36 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries since the turn of the 21st century. METHODS: The OECD database contains data on PUD-related hospital discharges and mortality for 36 countries between 2000 and 2019. Hospitalization rates for PUD were expressed as annual rates per 100,000 persons. Joinpoint regression models were used to calculate the average annual percent change (AAPC) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each country, which were pooled using meta-analyses. The incidence of PUD was forecasted to 2021 using autoregressive integrated moving average and Poisson regression models. RESULTS: The overall median hospitalization rate was 42.4 with an interquartile range of 29.7–60.6 per 100,000 person-years. On average, hospitalization rates (AAPC = −3.9%; 95% CI: −4.4, −3.3) and morality rates (AAPC = −4.7%; 95% CI: −5.6, −3.8) for PUD have decreased from 2000 to 2019 globally. The forecasted incidence of PUD hospitalizations in 2021 ranged from 3.5 per 100,000 in Mexico to 92.1 per 100,000 in Lithuania. Across 36 countries in the OECD, 329,000 people are estimated to be hospitalized for PUD in 2021. DISCUSSION: PUD remains an important cause of hospitalization worldwide. Reassuringly, hospitalizations and mortality for PUD have consistently been falling in OECD countries in North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania. Identifying underlying factors driving these trends is essential to sustaining this downward momentum.

AbstractBackgroundPYRAMID was an international post‐marketing registry that aimed to collect data on the long‐term safety and effectiveness of adalimumab treatment per local standard of care in patients with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease (CD). Here, we present post hoc analyses of observational data from patients who became pregnant while participating in this registry and receiving adalimumab.MethodsFrom the subpopulation of patients receiving adalimumab who became pregnant while taking part in PYRAMID, data on patient characteristics, pregnancy outcomes, and complications of pregnancy were analysed retrospectively.ResultsAcross the PYRAMID registry, 293 pregnancies occurred in patients who had gestational adalimumab exposure (average disease duration at last menstrual period: 8.6 years), resulting in 300 pregnancy outcomes. A total of 197 pregnancies (67.2%) were exposed to adalimumab in all trimesters per physician's decision. Of the known reported outcomes (96.3%), 81.7% (236/289) were live births, 10.4% (30/289) were spontaneous abortions, 4.8% (14/289) elective terminations, 2.8% (8/289) ectopic pregnancies, and 0.3% (1/289) was a stillbirth. Congenital malformations (pulmonary valve stenosis and tricuspid valve incompetence) were reported in one infant. In addition to the pregnancy outcomes described above, 23 complications of pregnancy were reported in 20 patients.ConclusionsThis analysis showed that adalimumab treatment in patients with CD, who became pregnant whilst participating in the PYRAMID registry, contributed no additional adverse effects during the pregnancy course or on pregnancy outcomes.

Abstract Background Microscopic colitis (MC) is suspected to result from increased immune activity in gut mucosa. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) treat cancer by activating the immune system, and further investigation is needed regarding their role in the development of MC. Methods A retrospective case series investigated cases of endoscopically and histologically confirmed MC developing after administration of ICIs. Clinical notes and medication administration records were reviewed for demographics, symptom duration, and treatment response. Results Nineteen cases of de novo MC were identified, with 95% of cases requiring steroid treatment, 53% presenting with hospitalization, and colitis-related mortality in 1 individual. Symptom onset occurred a median of 160 days after initiation of ICI therapy and 53 days after their most recent dose of therapy. Patients had a median of 125 days of symptoms, and ICI therapy was held in 70% of individuals due for treatment. Conclusions MC can develop after ICI administration, and presents with severe symptoms, often requiring hospitalization and steroid treatment. In certain individuals this can require a prolonged treatment course of steroid therapy or immunomodulators. Individuals developing diarrhea after ICI therapy warrant thorough workup including endoscopy and rapid treatment initiation given the disease severity observed in this series.

Abstract Background Combining biologics and small molecules could potentially overcome the plateau of drug efficacy in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the safety and effectiveness of dual biologic therapy (DBT), or small molecule combined with a biologic therapy (SBT) in IBD patients. Methods We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Clinical trials.gov until November 3, 2020, including studies with 2 or more IBD patients on DBT or SBT. Main outcome was safety assessed as pooled rates of adverse events (AEs) and serious AEs (SAEs) for each combination. Effectiveness was reported as pooled rates of clinical, endoscopic, and/or radiographic response and remission. The certainty of evidence was rated according to the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) framework. Results Of the 3688 publications identified, 13 studies (1 clinical trial, 12 observational studies) involving 266 patients on 7 different combinations were included. Median number of prior biologics ranged from 0 to 4, and median duration of follow-up was 16–68 weeks. Most common DBT and SBT were vedolizumab (VDZ) with anti-tumor necrosis factor (aTNF, n = 56) or tofacitinib (Tofa, n = 57), respectively. Pooled rates of SAE for these were 9.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5–21.4) for VDZ-aTNF and 1.0% (95% CI, 0.0–7.6) for Tofa-VDZ. The overall certainty of evidence was very low due to the observational nature of the studies, and very serious imprecision and inconsistency. Conclusions DBT or SBT appears to be generally safe and may be effective in IBD patients, but the evidence is very uncertain.

Background: Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a safe and effective therapy for recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). Data on FMT for CDI in patients with underlying inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are emerging but conflicting. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to describe the efficacy and safety of FMT for CDI in IBD and its impact on IBD outcomes. Methods: A systematic search of multiple databases including Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science was performed. Our primary analysis focused on pooled rate of CDI resolution after single and multiple FMTs in IBD patients. Additional analyses included rates of IBD-associated outcomes (flare, surgery, symptom improvement) after FMT. The random-effects model was used to calculate pooled rates. Results: Among 457 adult patients, 363 had CDI resolution after first FMT with a pooled cure rate of 78% [95% confidence interval (CI): 73%-83%; I 2=39%]. Overall pooled rate cure rate with single and multiple FMTs was 88% (95% CI: 81%-94%; I 2=73%). The pooled rate of an IBD flare after FMT was 26.8% (95% CI: 22.5%-31.6%; I 2=9%) and of colectomy was 7.3% (95% CI: 4.7%-10.5%; I 2=56%). Among 141 pediatric patients, 106 had CDI resolution after first FMT with pooled cure rate of 78% (95% CI: 58%-93%; I 2=59%). Overall pooled cure rate with single and multiple FMTs was 77% (95% CI: 50%-96%; I 2=63%). The pooled rate of an IBD flare after FMT was 10.8% (95% CI: 5.7%-18.5% I 2=43%), and of colectomy was 10.3% (95% CI: 2.1%-30.2% I 2=23%). Conclusions: FMT appears to be a highly effective therapy for preventing recurrent CDI in patients with IBD. Patients who fail a single FMT may benefit from multiple FMTs.

SummaryBackgroundTofacitinib is an oral, small molecule Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of ulcerative colitis. We present final data from OCTAVE Open, an open‐label, long‐term extension study.AimsThe primary objective of OCTAVE Open was to assess the safety and tolerability of long‐term tofacitinib in patients with ulcerative colitis; evaluating efficacy was a secondary objective.MethodsEligible patients included OCTAVE Induction 1&2 non‐responders and OCTAVE Sustain completers/treatment failures. Patients in remission at OCTAVE Open baseline received tofacitinib 5 mg b.d.; all others received 10 mg b.d. Incidence rates (unique patients with events/100 patient‐years) for adverse events of special interest were calculated; ≤7.0 years of observation. Efficacy endpoints derived from Mayo score were reported ≤36 months (last scheduled endoscopy visit).ResultsIn OCTAVE Open, 769 of 944 patients (81.5%) initially received tofacitinib 10 mg b.d. Among all patients (2440.8 patient‐years of exposure), incidence rates (IRs; 95% confidence intervals) for deaths and adverse events of special interest were: deaths, 0.25 (0.09‐0.54); serious infections, 1.61 (1.14‐2.20); herpes zoster (non‐serious and serious), 3.16 (2.47‐3.97); opportunistic infections, 0.87 (0.54‐1.33); major adverse cardiovascular events, 0.16 (0.04‐0.42); malignancies (excluding non‐melanoma skin cancer), 1.03 (0.67‐1.52); non‐melanoma skin cancer, 0.75 (0.45‐1.19); deep vein thrombosis, 0.04 (0.00‐0.23); pulmonary embolism, 0.21 (0.07‐0.48). At Month 36, 66.9% and 40.3% showed clinical response, 64.6% and 37.1% had endoscopic improvement, and 58.9% and 33.7% maintained or achieved remission, with tofacitinib 5 and 10 mg b.d. respectively.ConclusionTofacitinib demonstrated consistent safety up to 7.0 years. Data collected up to Month 36 support long‐term efficacy beyond the 52‐week maintenance study.

BACKGROUND: Ozanimod, an oral sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulator selectively targeting S1P 1 and S1P 5 , demonstrated superior efficacy and safety vs placebo for up to 52 weeks in adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) in a phase 3 study (True North). In this post-hoc analysis, we evaluated the impact of prior biologic exposure on response to ozanimod. METHODS: True North consisted of two cohorts. In cohort 1, patients with UC received double-blind treatment with once-daily ozanimod 0.92 mg (equivalent to ozanimod HCl 1 mg) or placebo. In cohort 2, patients received open-label once daily ozanimod 0.92 mg. Ozanimod responders after a 10-week induction were re-randomized to double-blind maintenance with ozanimod 0.92 mg or placebo through week 52. Outcomes based on prior biologic exposure (biologic-naïve, 1 biologic, and 2+ biologics) and prior biologic type (anti-tumor necrosis factor [TNF] agents, vedolizumab, or both) were analyzed for clinical remission, clinical response, endoscopic improvement, and mucosal healing. Patients exposed to only a JAK inhibitor were excluded from the analysis. RESULTS: A total of 992 patients (n = 213 placebo and n = 426 ozanimod in cohort 1, n = 353 ozanimod in cohort 2) were included in the analysis for induction; 616 were biologic-naïve, 162 had exposure to 1 biologic, and 214 were exposed to 2 or more biologics. At baseline, biologic-exposed patients had more prior corticosteroid use, longer disease duration, and more extensive disease than biologic-naïve patients. During induction, greater therapeutic effects of ozanimod were generally seen in biologic-naïve vs biologic-exposed patients, and ozanimod-treated patients had greater responses on nearly all reported endpoints at week 10 (cohort 1). Clinical remission was achieved in 23% vs 6.6% of patients on ozanimod vs placebo who were biologic naïve, 17.2% vs 8.3% on 1 prior biologic, and 3.7% vs 2.5% on 2 or more biologics. Clinical response was reached in 53% vs 28% of patients on ozanimod vs placebo who were biologic naïve, 50% vs 33% on 1 biologic, and 27% vs 15% on 2 or more biologics. During maintenance, ozanimod-treated patients had greater responses on all endpoints versus placebo, with similar proportions of patients achieving clinical response to ozanimod regardless of prior biologic exposure (61% for biologic naïve, 60% for 1 biologic, and 55% for 2 or more biologics). At week 52, the proportion of patients on ozanimod with clinical remission was similar in the 1-biologic and 2+-biologic exposure groups (28% and 26%, respectively), and proportions of patients on ozanimod with endoscopic improvement and mucosal healing were similar for the 1-biologic and biologic-naïve groups (47% and 50%, 30%, and 33%, respectively). Among patients with inadequate response to prior anti-TNF agents, vedolizumab, or both at baseline, treatment effects favored ozanimod vs placebo on these endpoints in all three groups during both induction and maintenance. CONCLUSION: Ozanimod improved clinical, endoscopic, and histologic outcomes in both biologic-exposed and -naïve patients. Patients with prior biologic use may require additional time to respond to treatment. Outcomes were improved with ozanimod regardless of prior use of anti-TNF agents and vedolizumab.