Patient-reported continuous clinical response to golimumab in adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis: results from GO OBSERVE, a real-world European observational study.

BACKGROUND: In PURSUIT, golimumab (GLM) was efficacious in patients with moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis (UC). We assessed whether remote monitoring of combined patient-reported Mayo stool frequency and rectal bleeding scores is an effective real-world outcome measure for assessing maintenance of GLM-induced clinical response. METHODS: This was a 54-week prospective, observational cohort study conducted at 43 European outpatient clinics in adults with moderate-to-severe UC who were biologic naïve or had received a maximum of one other biological therapy. Patients were treated according to European GLM UC label/local practice. Clinical response (based on partial or full Mayo score) was assessed at week 6, 10, or 14 of induction, depending on local practice. Investigators remotely monitored scores every 4 weeks. The primary endpoint was the proportion of induction responders in patient-reported continuous clinical response (pCCR) at week 54, defined as absence of UC flare based on combined patient-reported Mayo stool frequency and rectal bleeding scores every 4 weeks and full or partial Mayo score. A key secondary endpoint was the proportion of induction responders in clinical remission at week 54. RESULTS: Among 109 patients, 37 (34.0%) received at least two GLM induction doses and completed induction in clinical response (induction responders). At week 54, 15/37 (40.5%) induction responders were in pCCR, and 21/37 (56.8%) were in clinical remission. CONCLUSION: In daily clinical practice, regular remote monitoring of combined patient-reported Mayo stool frequency and rectal bleeding scores appears to be a meaningful real-world outcome measure for monitoring maintenance of GLM-induced clinical response in UC.

Real-world treatment persistence of golimumab in the management of immune-mediated rheumatic diseases in Europe: a systematic literature review.

OBJECTIVES: To summarise real-world data from studies reporting golimumab persistence in European immune-mediated rheumatic disease (IMRD) populations and to report pooled estimates. DESIGN: Systematic literature review. DATA SOURCES: Relevant literature was identified through searching Medline and Embase via Ovid as well as the conference databases of European League Against Rheumatism and American College of Rheumatology-Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: We screened records using predefined patients, interventions, comparators, outcomes and study design criteria. Eligible studies included reports of persistence among adult IMRD patients in Europe receiving treatment with subcutaneous golimumab. Clinical trials, randomised controlled trials, literature reviews, editorials, guidelines and studies with <20 patients receiving golimumab were excluded. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Following double screening by two independent reviewers, 27 studies out of 578 identified records were selected for inclusion and subsequent data extraction. Persistence was most commonly reported at 12and 24 months; hence, pooled persistence estimates were calculated for these two time points and reported according to indication. RESULTS: Persistence ranged between 58.1% (psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients regardless of treatment line) and 75.7% (biological-naïve rheumatoid arthritis patients) at 12 months; at 24 months, the range was 43% (axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA) patients regardless of treatment line) and 69.6% (biological-naïve PsA patients). On the basis of data from 12 studies, persistence with golimumab treatment was either significantly higher or not significantly different from other tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi). CONCLUSIONS: Golimumab persistence at 24 months approximates 50%, with a lower persistence among AxSpA (43%) patients. However, as the number of studies in these populations was low, they warrant further research. In 12 studies comparing various TNFi treatments, golimumab was shown to have significantly better or equal persistence to its comparators.

Early Dose Optimisation of Golimumab in Nonresponders to Induction Treatment for Ulcerative Colitis Is Effective and Supported by Pharmacokinetic Data.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In nonresponders to golimumab induction for ulcerative colitis, we assessed clinical response rates and golimumab serum concentrations when the 100-mg dose was used early in the course of maintenance. METHODS: This post-hoc analysis of golimumab maintenance dosing [in the PURSUIT-M study] examined clinical outcomes and golimumab concentrations in early [Week 6] responders and nonresponders to induction, including subgroups based on body weight. RESULTS: In nonresponders to golimumab induction [assessed at Week 6], the 100-mg maintenance dose [starting at Week 6] resulted in a meaningful proportion [28.1%] of patients achieving a partial Mayo response at Week 14. After 1 year of maintenance, clinical outcome [response, remission, mucosal healing, corticosteroid-free state] rates in these "late" [Week 14] responders were similar to those in early [Week 6] responders. Golimumab concentrations in early nonresponders were approximately half those of early responders, suggesting that early nonresponders had more rapid golimumab clearance. Examined by body weight, the early nonresponders weighing <80 kg and receiving 100 mg had golimumab concentrations similar to the early responders [weighing <80 kg or ≥80 kg and receiving 50 mg or 100 mg, respectively]. CONCLUSIONS: Early use of the 100-mg maintenance dose leads to positive clinical outcomes in a meaningful proportion of patients who did not respond to golimumab at Week 6. Early nonresponders <80 kg who received the 100-mg maintenance dose achieved adequate golimumab concentrations and a clinically meaningful proportion of these patients had a late clinical response.PURSUIT-M protocol number C0524T18; ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00488631; EudraCT, 2006-003399-37.

Comparison of Immunoassays for Measuring Serum Levels of Golimumab and Antibodies Against Golimumab in Ulcerative Colitis: A Retrospective Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Golimumab is a monoclonal anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha antibody, which is used in ulcerative colitis with an exposure-response relationship. The goal of this study was to compare results obtained with different immunoassays (golimumab and antigolimumab antibodies trough levels). METHODS: This study was based on samples from 78 ulcerative colitis patients on golimumab treatment. Golimumab was quantified by either an anti-IgG detection antibody (Theradiag, Marne la Vallée, France) or an antibody directed against golimumab (Sanquin, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium, and Janssen R&D, San Diego, CA). Bridging drug-sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (Theradiag, Janssen R&D, and KU Leuven), a bridging drug-tolerant enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Janssen R&D), and a radioimmunoassay (Sanquin) were used to quantify antidrug antibody. RESULTS: Median serum golimumab levels were 4.5, 3.5, 4.9, and 2.4 mcg/mL with Theradiag, Sanquin, KU Leuven, and Janssen R&D assay, respectively (P < 0.05). Correlation coefficients between assays ranged from 0.9 to 0.97. When using the KU Leuven and Janssen R&D assays, 86% of samples were in the same quartile of distribution of values, and for Sanquin and Janssen R&D assays, this overlap was 80%. The concordance observed for the other pairs was 83% (Sanquin/KU Leuven R&D), 71% (Theradiag/KU Leuven), and 68% (Theradiag/Janssen R&D and Theradiag/Sanquin). The specificity of assays for golimumab was demonstrated. Antidrug antibodies were detected in 28.2% of the samples with the Janssen R&D drug-tolerant assay and in the same 2 patients by the 3 other assays. CONCLUSIONS: Performances of these immunoassays were similar in terms of quality, but differences in the quantitative results point to the importance of using the same assay consistently to monitor a patient's treatment.

Five-year Safety Data From OPUS, a European Observational Safety Registry for Adults With Ulcerative Colitis Treated With Originator Infliximab [Remicade®] or Conventional Therapy.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The Observational Postmarketing Ulcerative colitis Study [OPUS] was conducted to obtain the first long-term [5 years] safety data assessing treatment with originator infliximab versus conventional therapies in patients with ulcerative colitis [UC] in real-world clinical practice. METHODS: The OPUS registry was a prospective, non-randomised, observational study that measured adverse events in nine prespecified categories of interest in UC patients whose treatment with either originator infliximab or conventional therapy [defined as initiation or dose-increase of corticosteroids and/or immunosuppressants] was determined by their treating physician. RESULTS: Data for 2239 patients were available: N = 1180 enrolled to conventional therapy [including N = 296 who switched to originator infliximab during follow-up] and N = 1059 enrolled to originator infliximab. Patients in the originator infliximab group, compared with the conventional therapy group, had more severe disease at baseline, based on partial Mayo score [PMS]: 46.0% of patients in the originator infliximab group had severe disease (PMS of 7-9 [out of 9]), compared with 30.5% in the conventional therapy group. In adjusted time-to-event analyses, enrolment into the originator infliximab group was associated with a higher risk of serious infection (hazard ratio = 1.98 [95% confidence interval: 1.34, 2.91; p <0.001]) compared with enrolment into the conventional therapy group. No notable risk differences between groups were identified for haematological disorder, autoimmune disorder, malignancy/lymphoproliferative disorder, hepatobiliary disorder or fatality. CONCLUSIONS: UC patients treated with infliximab had higher risk for serious infection, compared with conventional therapies. No new safety concerns were observed with originator infliximab in the OPUS registry. [ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00705484.].

Continuous Clinical Response Is Associated With a Change of Disease Course in Patients With Moderate to Severe Ulcerative Colitis Treated With Golimumab.

Background: Responders to induction treatment sustain continuous clinical response (CCR) through 1 year in about 50% of patients in PURSUIT-M trial with golimumab maintenance in ulcerative colitis (UC). This post hoc analysis of PURSUIT-M describes the 1-year clinical, endoscopic, quality of life (QoL), and biomarker and 4-year clinical outcome in patients with sustained response to golimumab therapy for UC. Methods: We compared clinical, endoscopic, QoL, and calprotectin outcomes in CCR and non-CCR patients through 54 weeks in PURSUIT-M. Persistence on golimumab therapy and clinical response at 4 years was assessed for CCR and non-CCR patients. The relationship of colectomy with CCR status was determined. Results: Among patients receiving golimumab maintenance, greater proportions of patients with vs without CCR at week 54 achieved clinical remission (67.1% vs 1.9%), corticosteroid-free remission (61.6% vs 1.9%), endoscopic remission (Mayo endoscopy score 0 [47.9% vs 1.3%]), and normal QoL (inflammatory bowel disease questionnaire score ≥170 [75.0% vs 24.4%]). CCR but not non-CCR patients maintained normalized calprotectin levels during maintenance. Among patients who entered the long-term extension study, a greater proportion of patients with vs without CCR maintained PGA 0 through week 216 (58% vs 42%). Colectomy was performed in 47 induction nonresponders and in 13 induction responders. None of the patients going onto colectomy achieved CCR through 54 weeks in PURSUIT-M. Conclusions: Continuous clinical response is associated with favorable short- and long-term clinical, endoscopic, QoL, and biomarker responses that may result in changing the course of disease and may prevent colectomy in patients with moderate to severe UC treated with golimumab. 10.1093/ibd/izy229_video1izy229.video15806022773001.

Combination Therapy With Infliximab and Azathioprine Improves Infliximab Pharmacokinetic Features and Efficacy: A Post Hoc Analysis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Among immunosuppressive- and biologic-naïve patients with moderately-to-severely active Crohn's disease (CD), a higher proportion of those treated with the combination of infliximab and azathioprine achieved corticosteroid-free remission at week 26 (CSFR26) than those given infliximab monotherapy; patients given the combination therapy also had higher serum concentrations of infliximab. Enhanced benefit of combination therapy may occur through synergistic modes of action or the influence of azathioprine on infliximab pharmacokinetics. METHODS: We analyzed data from 206 patients from whom week 30 serum samples were available: 97 received infliximab monotherapy (5 mg/kg, n = 97) and 109 received combination therapy (2.5 mg/kg/day; n = 109). Proportions of patients achieving CSFR26 and mucosal healing (absence of ulcers) at week 26 were calculated for each quartile of serum concentrations of infliximab, and exposure-response relationships were compared. RESULTS: Within quartiles of serum concentrations of infliximab, CSFR26 did not differ significantly between patients who received combination therapy vs monotherapy. However, among patients in the lowest quartile of serum concentration of infliximab, twice as many patients who received infliximab monotherapy achieved CSFR26 vs combination therapy. Anti-drug antibodies were detected only in the lowest quartile of serum concentrations of infliximab-in 35.9% of patients given monotherapy and 8.3% of patients given combination therapy. CONCLUSION: Among patients with CD and similar serum concentrations of infliximab, combination therapy with azathioprine was not significantly more effective than infliximab monotherapy. Combination therapy with azathioprine appears to improve efficacy by increasing pharmacokinetic features of infliximab. ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00094458.

Comparisons of Serum Infliximab and Antibodies-to-Infliximab Tests Used in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinical Trials of Remicade®.

Monitoring infliximab (IFX) concentrations and antibodies-to-IFX (ATI) titers during inflammatory bowel disease treatment may allow more informed decisions in assessing exposure/response and determining appropriate dosing. To aid in interpreting results from different commercial tests in the context of Janssen's published Remicade® results, the reliability of Janssen's IFX and ATI assays was compared with commercial assays from KU Leuven, Sanquin, Dynacare, and LabCorp. Test results were independently reported to Janssen. All assays were tested for specificity, selectivity, and precision. ATI assays were evaluated for sensitivity, drug interference, and potential interference of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). IFX assays were specific, accurate, and reproducible. Intra-class correlation of Janssen IFX assay results with those from KU Leuven, Sanquin, Dynacare, and LabCorp were 0.960, 0.895, 0.931, and 0.971, respectively. ATI titers >10 interfered with IFX assessment in all IFX assays, whereas TNF-α (≤50 ng/mL) did not interfere with IFX detection in any assay. ATI assays specifically and reproducibly detected ATI. Janssen, Sanquin, and LabCorp ATI methods were more resistant to IFX interference than Dynacare and KU Leuven, which were affected by IFX concentrations at ≥2 µg/mL. TNF-α (<5 ng/mL) did not interfere with ATI detection. Strong agreement was observed between Janssen's IFX and ATI assays and the diagnostic service provider assays. Our study results indicate that all four commercially available assays are suitable for therapeutic drug monitoring of IFX. The substantial agreement reported here between the comparator assays and the Janssen drug-tolerant assay provides support to clinicians in their use of these commercial assays, and for understanding their patients' IFX and ATI results relative to published data from clinical studies of Remicade.

Implementing the Concept of Continuous Clinical Response Into Clinical Practice for Ulcerative Colitis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a complex and progressive disease that has a significant humanistic and economic impact in patients and the wider society. Disease control is still an unmet need for a large proportion of patients. The aim of this article was to review the current evidence to assess the feasibility, value, and impact of integrating continuous clinical response (CCR) as a patient-reported outcome into routine management of UC. METHODS: Literature searches in PubMed, Google Scholar, and conference proceedings were undertaken to retrieve the relevant articles regarding burden and course of disease, outcome measures in UC, tools for measuring disease activity, and models for patient's self-monitoring. RESULTS: The concept of CCR was first introduced during the PURSUIT-M trial, where evidence was provided to support the clinical and quality of life benefits of achieving CCR. However, patient monitoring as implemented during the trial was not feasible for its use in the real world. Thus, a simple self-reported score (eg, PRO2) to monitor CCR, with good correlation with more complex procedure-driven indices, was identified for its use in routine patient care. Feasibility of introducing this easy-to-use tool over time as an integral part of patient management was also explored. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of CCR as a management goal for UC patients may pose the step change needed to improve disease course and patient's life. Providing patients with simple tools to continuously monitor their disease activity is the first step for an integrated self-monitoring model of care in UC.

Challenges Faced by Cross-sectional Imaging and Histological Endpoints in Clinical Trials.

In patients with inflammatory bowel disease, a dissociation can occur between symptoms and presence of inflammatory lesions. This dissociation has led to the recognition that objective measures of disease activity together with clinical assessment should be co-primary endpoints in clinical trials. Objective assessment of inflammatory lesions has classically relied on ileocolonoscopy. However, examination with endoscopy cannot always be complete and does not evaluate transmural changes. Furthermore, histological alterations may persist in the presence of mild or even absent endoscopy lesions. For these reasons cross-sectional imaging, particularly magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] and histology, are being considered as potential new tools for objective assessment of lesions.In patients with Crohn's disease, it has been shown that MRI has a high degree of accuracy for the evaluation of presence and severity of inflammation, and that validated indices of activity such as the Magnetic Resonance Index of Activity [MaRIA] are responsive to effective therapeutic interventions. In the context of clinical trials, MRI may help in patient selection by providing always a complete assessment of the small bowel and colon and detecting the presence of complications.A generally accepted definition of histological mucosal healing, to be used in clinical trials on Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, does not exist. Several histological scoring systems are available, most of these based on the evaluation the presence of neutrophils, epithelial cell damage, and an increase in lymphocytes and plasma cells. At present, histological remission is not included as primary endpoint for therapeutic trials, but better outcomes associated with achievement of histological healing favours the consideration of histology as an endpoint in the future.

Five-year Safety Data From ENCORE, a European Observational Safety Registry for Adults With Crohn's Disease Treated With Infliximab [Remicade®] or Conventional Therapy.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The ENCORE registry aimed at comparing the long-term safety of Crohn's disease [CD] treatment with infliximab [Remicade®] and with conventional therapies in real-world clinical practice. METHODS: The 5-year, prospective, observational ENCORE registry followed patients with CD in nine European countries, who received treatment with infliximab, conventional therapies, or switched to infliximab from conventional therapy. Adverse events [AEs] in pre-specified categories and serious AEs were recorded at least every 6 months of the 5-year observation period. Frequency of events was evaluated, and multivariable analyses using follow-up time [Cox proportion hazards model] and exposure time [Poisson regression] were used to identify risk factors for time to AEs in pre-specified categories. RESULTS: Patients who received infliximab [N = 1541], conventional therapies [N = 1121], or switched to infliximab [N = 298] were followed for medians of 60.4, 55.6, and 42.5 months, respectively. Infliximab median exposure was 18.7 and 19.3 months in the infliximab and switched-to-infliximab groups, respectively. In time-to-event Cox proportion hazards [PH] analyses adjusting for confounders, infliximab [vs conventional therapy] was associated with serious infections (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.64, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.17, 2.31] and haematological conditions [HR = 2.91, CI: 1.51, 5.59], and not associated with lymphoproliferative disorders/malignancy [HR = 1.44, CI: 0.86, 2.42] or death [HR = 1.22, CI: 0.63, 2.36]. Prednisone use was associated with higher mortality [HR = 3.58, CI: 1.49, 8.61]. In exposure-adjusted Poisson regression analyses, infliximab was associated with lower mortality (risk ratio [[RR] 0.39, CI: 0.17, 0.88]). CONCLUSIONS: Data from 5-year safety follow-up of patients with CD in the ENCORE registry demonstrate that infliximab [Remicade®] exposure is associated with increased risk of serious infections and haematological conditions, whereas mortality may be decreased.

Infliximab Reduces Endoscopic, but Not Clinical, Recurrence of Crohn's Disease After Ileocolonic Resection.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Most patients with Crohn's disease (CD) eventually require an intestinal resection. However, CD frequently recurs after resection. We performed a randomized trial to compare the ability of infliximab vs placebo to prevent CD recurrence. METHODS: We evaluated the efficacy of infliximab in preventing postoperative recurrence of CD in 297 patients at 104 sites worldwide from November 2010 through May 2012. All study patients had undergone ileocolonic resection within 45 days before randomization. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to groups given infliximab (5 mg/kg) or placebo every 8 weeks for 200 weeks. The primary end point was clinical recurrence, defined as a composite outcome consisting of a CD Activity Index score >200 and a ≥70-point increase from baseline, and endoscopic recurrence (Rutgeerts score ≥i2, determined by a central reader) or development of a new or re-draining fistula or abscess, before or at week 76. Endoscopic recurrence was a major secondary end point. RESULTS: A smaller proportion of patients in the infliximab group had a clinical recurrence before or at week 76 compared with the placebo group, but this difference was not statistically significant (12.9% vs 20.0%; absolute risk reduction [ARR] with infliximab, 7.1%; 95% confidence interval: -1.3% to 15.5%; P = .097). A significantly smaller proportion of patients in the infliximab group had endoscopic recurrence compared with the placebo group (30.6% vs 60.0%; ARR with infliximab, 29.4%; 95% confidence interval: 18.6% to 40.2%; P < .001). Additionally, a significantly smaller proportion of patients in the infliximab group had endoscopic recurrence based only on Rutgeerts scores ≥i2 (22.4% vs 51.3%; ARR with infliximab, 28.9%; 95% confidence interval: 18.4% to 39.4%; P < .001). Patients previously treated with anti-tumor necrosis factor agents or those with more than 1 resection were at greater risk for clinical recurrence. The safety profile of infliximab was similar to that from previous reports. CONCLUSIONS: Infliximab is not superior to placebo in preventing clinical recurrence after CD-related resection. However, infliximab does reduce endoscopic recurrence. ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT01190839.

Factors associated with short- and long-term outcomes of therapy for Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Our post hoc analysis assessed the association of early (at weeks 26-30) clinical, endoscopic, biologic, and pharmacokinetic outcomes with corticosteroid-free remission at week 50 (CSFR50); CSFR50 was observed in 55.2% and 65.4% of patients treated with infliximab, alone or in combination with azathioprine, respectively. METHODS: We analyzed data from 203 patients: 96 received infliximab monotherapy and 107 received combination therapy. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to set cut-off points for the week 30 trough serum infliximab concentration (SIC30) and percentage change, from baseline, in the C-reactive protein (CRP) level at week 26, to predict CSFR50. Univariate and multivariate procedures analyzed predictive parameters of CSFR50 (odds ratio [OR] and 95% confidence interval [CI]). Mucosal healing (MH, zero ulcers) and CRP normalization (<8.0 mg/L) also were assessed. RESULTS: Trough SIC30 was higher in patients with than without CSFR50. Patients given combination therapy had higher trough SIC30s than those given monotherapy. Median trough SIC30 was significantly higher in patients with than without CSFR50 among those on infliximab monotherapy (2.14 vs 0.80 µg/mL; P = .006), but not for those on combination therapy (3.56 vs 3.54 µg/mL; P=.31). In patients with increased baseline levels of CRP (n = 120), corticosteroid-free remission at week 26 (CSFR26) (OR, 4.09; 95% CI, 1.65-10.11), and trough SIC30s of 3.0 µg/mL or greater (OR, 3.20; 95% CI, 1.38-7.42) were associated significantly with CSFR50. In patients evaluable for MH (n = 123), trough SIC30s of 3.0 µg/mL or greater (OR, 3.34; 95% CI, 1.53-7.28) and CRP normalization (OR, 2.69; 95% CI, 1.10-6.54) were associated significantly with MH at week 26 (MH26). Furthermore, CSFR26 (OR, 4.43; 95% CI, 1.81-10.82) and MH26 (OR, 3.01; 95% CI, 1.33-6.81) were associated significantly with CSFR50. CONCLUSIONS: Trough SIC30 is associated positively with MH26; CSFR26 and MH26 are independent predictors of CSFR50. Trough SIC30 of 3.0 µg/mL or greater early during maintenance treatment is an important determinant of clinical and endoscopic Crohn's disease outcomes. ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00094458.

Association between serum concentration of infliximab and efficacy in adult patients with ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: We analyzed data collected during the Active Ulcerative Colitis Trials (ACT-1 and ACT-2) to assess relationships between serum concentrations of infliximab and outcomes of adults with moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis. METHODS: We compared serum concentrations of infliximab with outcomes of 728 patients with moderately-to-severely active ulcerative colitis who participated in ACT-1 or ACT-2; efficacy data were collected at weeks 8, 30, and 54 (for ACT-1 only). Relationships between serum concentration of infliximab and efficacy outcomes were assessed using trend, logistic regression, and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses. We also evaluated factors that affected the relationship between exposure and response. RESULTS: Median serum concentrations of infliximab at weeks 8, 30, and/or 54 were significantly higher in patients with clinical response, mucosal healing, and/or clinical remission than in patients who did not meet these response criteria. There were statistically significant relationships between quartile of infliximab serum concentration and efficacy at these time points (P < .01). Infliximab therapy was effective for a smaller proportion of patients in the lowest quartile, and these patients had lower serum levels of albumin and a higher incidence of antibodies to infliximab than patients in other quartiles. Although the relationship between exposure to infliximab and response varied among patients, approximate serum concentrations of 41 µg/mL infliximab at week 8 of induction therapy and 3.7 µg/mL at steady-state during maintenance therapy produced optimal outcomes in patients. CONCLUSIONS: Serum concentrations of infliximab are associated with efficacy in patients with moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis; however, complex factors determine the relationship between exposure to this drug and response. A prospective evaluation of the value of measuring serum concentrations of infliximab should be performed before these data can be included in patient management strategies. Clinicaltrials.gov numbers: NCT00036439 and NCT00096655.

Postinduction serum infliximab trough level and decrease of C-reactive protein level are associated with durable sustained response to infliximab: a retrospective analysis of the ACCENT I trial.

BACKGROUND: Serum infliximab trough levels correlate with efficacy; dose escalation is often beneficial in patients with Crohn's disease who stop responding to infliximab treatment. OBJECTIVE: To carry out a post hoc analysis of A Crohn's Disease Clinical Trial Evaluating Infliximab in a New Long-term Treatment Regimen I (ACCENT I) to evaluate the association between serum infliximab trough levels and C-reactive protein (CRP) after 14 weeks of induction treatment with durable sustained long-term response (Crohn's Disease Activity Index decrease ≥70 points and reduction ≥25% from baseline). DESIGN: ACCENT I was a multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled study. Week 14 trough levels and CRP percentage decrease from baseline to week 14 were compared between patients with and without durable sustained response through week 54. Sensitivity and specificity were determined to predict durable sustained response. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves identified optimal cut-off points; logistic regression determined ORs. RESULTS: After induction with 5 mg/kg infliximab, 25% (37/147) and 33% (47/144) of patients sustained week 14 response to infliximab 5 or 10 mg/kg, respectively, administered every 8 weeks without dose escalation, through week 54. Median week 14 trough levels of patients with and without durable sustained response to infliximab 5 mg/kg were 4.0 and 1.9 µg/mL, respectively (p=0.0331). Optimal predictors of durable sustained response to maintenance infliximab 5 mg/kg were week 14 trough level ≥3.5 µg/mL and ≥60% CRP decrease (ORs (95% CI), 3.5 (1.1 to 11.4) and 7.3 (1.4 to 36.7)), respectively, in patients with raised baseline CRP (>8.0 mg/L); area under the ROC curve was 0.75 for both predictors. A ≥3.5 µg/mL week 14 infliximab serum level did not predict durable sustained response to 10 mg/kg maintenance infliximab. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with durable sustained response to maintenance infliximab 5 mg/kg had higher postinduction trough levels than patients without durable sustained response. Serum infliximab trough levels ≥3.5 µg/mL and ≥60% CRP decrease were significantly associated with durable sustained response.

Clinical disease activity, C-reactive protein normalisation and mucosal healing in Crohn's disease in the SONIC trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) has been criticised due to heavy weighting on subjective clinical symptoms. C-reactive protein (CRP) and endoscopic lesions are objective measures of inflammation. We investigated the relationships between clinical disease activity, CRP normalisation and mucosal healing in Crohn's disease (CD). METHODS: The Study of Biologic and Immunomodulator Naive Patients in CD trial compared infliximab to azathioprine and to infliximab plus azathioprine in 508 CD patients. Mucosal healing was defined as the absence of mucosal ulceration at the week 26 ileocolonoscopy in a patient who had evidence of ulceration at the baseline ileocolonoscopy. RESULTS: 188 patients who had evaluable ileocolonoscopy with evidence of mucosal ulceration at baseline, CDAI scores and CRP values at baseline and week 26 were analysed. Seventy-two of 136 patients (53%) who had a CDAI<150 at week 26 achieved mucosal healing, and 38 of 90 patients (42%) achieved both CRP normalisation (CRP<0.8 mg/dL) and mucosal healing while in clinical remission. The positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of CDAI to detect mucosal healing using 150 as a cut-off for CDAI were 65% and 53%, respectively. The PPV and NPV of CDAI to detect mucosal healing and CRP normalisation using 150 as a cut-off for CDAI were 79% and 42%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Half the patients under azathioprine and/or infliximab in clinical remission have endoscopic and/or CRP evidence of residual active CD, whereas other patients with endoscopic and CRP normalisation have persistent clinical symptoms. Clinical symptoms as scored by CDAI are not a reliable measure of the underlying inflammation.

Validation of endoscopic activity scores in patients with Crohn's disease based on a post hoc analysis of data from SONIC.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Mucosal healing might alter midterm and long-term outcomes of patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and has become an important end point in clinical trials. However, the minimal degree of mucosal improvement (endoscopic response) required to alter midterm outcomes is not known. We aimed to determine the best definition of endoscopic response by evaluating data on the Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn's Disease (SES-CD) and the Crohn's Disease Endoscopic Index of Severity (CDEIS) from the Study of Biologic and Immunomodulator Naive Patients in Crohn's Disease (SONIC trial). METHODS: We analyzed data from 172 patients who participated in the SONIC trial, were found to have endoscopic lesions at baseline, and underwent a second endoscopic examination at week 26 of treatment with infliximab, azathioprine, or both. Mucosal healing was defined as absence of ulcers. A central reader calculated SES-CD and CDEIS results. Different cutoff values were set for endoscopic response based on the SES-CD or CDEIS. The diagnostic ability of these different cutoff values was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, positive likelihood ratios (PLR), and negative likelihood ratios (NLR). Corticosteroid-free clinical remission (CFREM) at week 50 was used as a binary classifier. RESULTS: Based on analyses of ROC curves, PLR, and NLR, endoscopic response was defined as a decrease from baseline in SES-CD of at least 50%. At week 26, mucosal healing and endoscopic response were achieved in 48% and 65% of patients, respectively. Mucosal healing at week 26 was associated with CFREM at week 50, with 56% sensitivity, 65% specificity, a PLR of 1.60, and an NLR of 0.67. Endoscopic response at week 26 was associated with CFREM at week 50, with 74% sensitivity, 48% specificity, a PLR of 1.42, and an NLR of 0.54. Endoscopic response, defined as a decrease from baseline in CDEIS of at least 50%, yielded similar results. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with CD, mucosal healing and endoscopic response (defined as a decrease from baseline in SES-CD or CDEIS of at least 50%) at week 26 of treatment identified those most likely to be in CFREM at week 50. The ability of the proposed endoscopic response cutoff value to predict midterm CFREM should be validated in an independent, prospective cohort. Its correlation with changes in long-term disease progression still needs to be demonstration. ClinicalTrials.gov, Number: NCT00094458.

A pooled analysis of infections, malignancy, and mortality in infliximab- and immunomodulator-treated adult patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to analyze the safety of long-term infliximab treatment, with/without concomitant immunomodulators, across Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) clinical trials. METHODS: To maximize sample size, we pooled primary safety data across 10 CD or UC trials, including five randomized, controlled trials contributing data from patients who received intravenous infliximab 5 or 10 mg/kg (n=1,713; ±azathioprine) or placebo (n=406; ±azathioprine). Pooled incidences and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were determined for mortality, infection, and malignancy. Standardized incidence ratios and 95% CIs were also determined for malignancies using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. RESULTS: We observed no increase in infections, serious infections, or malignancy with infliximab vs. placebo in these patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In patients with UC, but not CD, immunomodulator treatment (vs. treatment without immunomodulator) yielded a higher incidence (95% CI) of infections (120.07 (110.66, 130.08)/100 patient-years (pt-yrs) vs. 92.47 (84.54, 100.94)/100 pt-yrs). Among placebo-treated patients with CD, but not UC, those with immunomodulator use demonstrated a higher incidence (95% CI) of malignancy vs. no immunomodulator treatment (1.84 (0.22, 6.66)/100 pt-yrs vs. 0.00 (0.00, 0.00)/100 pt-yrs). Mortality and infection-related mortality appeared unaffected by infliximab or immunomodulator treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Infliximab treatment of IBD did not appear to affect incidences of infection, mortality, or malignancy. Relative to patients with no immunomodulator use, immunomodulator-treated UC patients demonstrated a higher incidence of infection and immunomodulator-plus-placebo-treated CD patients demonstrated a higher incidence of malignancy.

Ten years of infliximab (remicade) in clinical practice: the story from bench to bedside.

Infliximab was first introduced in Europe in 1999 for Crohn's disease. During the following decade major progress was made in the understanding of the pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel diseases and treatment with infliximab. Today, treatment algorithms with anti-TNF and optimization of anti-TNF use in daily clinical practice are important research topics in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. TNF blockade has also changed the rheumatology practice during the last 10 years. Earlier treatment, combination with disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, and identification of risk factors of poor prognosis are hot research topics today. The introduction of infliximab (among other biological therapies) has thus changed the way how inflammatory bowel diseases and rheumatoid conditions are treated. More importantly, infliximab has offered significant improvement of the quality of life of many patients. In addition, we currently collect data indicating that infliximab is changing the natural course of these inflammatory diseases.