P327 Long-term effectiveness of ustekinumab in refractory Crohn's disease: an Italian multicenter real-life study
Scribano, M.L.(1);Aratari, A.(2);Neri, B.(3);Bezzio, C.(4);Balestrieri, P.(5);Falasco, G.(1);Camastra, C.(1);Pantanella, P.(1);Monterubbianesi, R.(1);Tullio, A.(5);Saibeni, S.(4);Papi, C.(2);Biancone, L.(3);Cosintino, R.(1);Faggiani, R.(1);
(1)Gastroenterology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera San Camillo-Forlanini, Rome, Italy;(2)IBD Unit, San Filippo Neri Hospital, Rome, Italy;(3)Department of Systems Medicine- Gastroenterology Unit, University Tor Vergata of Rome, Rome, Italy;(4)Gastroenterology Unit, Rho Hospital- ASST Rhodense, Rho, Italy;(5)Gastroenterology Unit, Campus Bio Medico University, Rome, Italy
Background
Ustekinumab (UST) is increasingly used in Italy for the treatment of refractory Crohn’s disease (CD), however very few data concerning real-life experience has been reported. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the long-term effectiveness of UST in refractory CD patients treated in a large Italian cohort.
Methods
A retrospective study was conducted in 5 Italian tertiary centers. All adult CD patients who started UST because of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) failure were included. The co-primary outcomes were steroid-free clinical remission (defined as Harvey Bradshaw Index, HBI ≤4) at weeks 26 and 52. Secondary outcomes were changes in HBI score, changes in C-reactive protein (CRP) values, normalization of CRP (≤0.5 mg/dl) at weeks 8, 26, and 52, and adverse events. Categorical variables were expressed as frequency and percentage. Unpaired t-test was used to compare variables. A p-value <0.05 indicated statistical significance. Continuous variables were expressed as mean and standard deviation (SD), and median with interquartile range (IQR).
Results
Between Nov 2018 and Feb 2020,140 patients (51.4% male; median age 45.0 years, IQR 36.3-54.0; median disease duration 16.0 years, IQR 8.0-22.0) were included. The majority of patients had ileocolonic disease (L1, 38.6%; L2, 11.4%; L3, 50.0%) and an inflammatory phenotype (B1, 50.7%; B2, 31.0%; B3, 18.3%). All patients had previously been exposed to at least one anti-TNF agent, 27.1% to 2 anti-TNF agents, and 20.0% to vedolizumab . At inclusion 15.7% of patients received corticosteroids and 8.6% immunomodulators. All patients received an intravenous dose of 6 mg/kg, followed by subcutaneous administration of 90 mg every 8 (90%) or 12 weeks (10%) according to clinical judgment. The proportion of patients achieving steroid-free clinical remission was 61.0% and 64.2% at weeks 26 and 52 respectively. A significant decrease in the mean HBI was reported from baseline to week 8 (6.8 ± 3.6 vs 4.5 ± 3.1; p <0.001), week 26 (3.5 ± 2.9; p <0.001), and week 52 (3.1 ± 2.4; p <0.001). The mean CRP values was also significantly decreased from baseline to week 8 (4.6 ± 7.3 vs 2.8 ± 7.1; p <0.001), week 26 (1.7 ± 3.8; p <0.001), and week 52 (1.1 ± 2.2; p<0.001). At baseline 93 of 119 patients had high CRP value: a normal CRP value was observed in 34.9%, 37.8%, and 49.3% of patients at weeks 8, 26, and 52 respectively. Overall, 11 patients (7.9%) discontinued UST within 1 year: primary failure (n=2), secondary failure (n=6), adverse events (n=3: 2 allergic reactions, and 1 arthralgia).
Conclusion
To our knowledge this is one of the largest Italian cohort followed up to 1 year, and the results confirm that UST is an effective and safe treatment in refractory CD patients.