P372 Accelerated dosing schedule with ustekinumab in anti-TNF refractory Crohn`s disease

Aleman Gonzalez, H.(1);Stamp, K.(1);Whitehead, E.(1);Pattinson, A.(1);Turnbull, J.(1);Myers, S.(1);Talbot, A.(1);Sebastian, S.(1);

(1)Hull University Teaching Hospitals, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Kingston Upon Hull, United Kingdom;

Background

The efficacy of ustekinumab in prior biologic exposed refractory patients with inflammatory bowel disease is significantly inferior to those who are bio naïve. The optimal therapeutic level and hence the optimal dosing strategy in this setting is uncertain. Whether early dose optimisation is beneficial in this group of patients has not been evaluated. We aimed to compare the effectiveness and safety of early dose optimisation for maintenance compared to conventional maintenance regime in a retrospective cohort of refractory IBD patients

Methods

All patients initiated on ustekinumab following failure of one or more anti-TNF agents were included. Patients who received conventional maintenance regime (Q8W) was compared to those who received accelerated maintenance regime (Q4H). The primary end point was steroid free remission at 12 months or at last follow up. The secondary end points were ustekinumab persistence at 6 months and 12 months, need for surgery and drug related infectious or non-infectious complications

Results

One hundred and four patients were included (male: female 48:56). Median follow up was 11 months (IQR 5-14).  Fifty-six patients received accelerated dosing regimen while 48 patients received standard dosing regime.  Dose escalation was required in 18 patients (37.5%) of standard dosing regimen while four patients (7.1%) in the accelerated dosing regimen had dose de-escalation.  Higher proportion patients in the accelerated dosing regimen were in steroid free remission 87.5% vs 68.8% (p=0.018).  Proportion of patients requiring surgery was higher in the standard dosing regimen group (22.91 5 vs 7.14%, p = 0.02). Ustekinumab persistence in patient started on the accelerated regime and conventional dosing regime was not significantly different at 6 months (94.1% and 95.3%, p=0.58) and 12 months (84.4% and 95.3, p=0.1). No serious drug related complications observed in either group

Conclusion

Early dose optimisation of ustekinumab improves steroid free remission rates and reduces the need for surgery in patients with anti-TNF refractory patients with IBD