Abstract
Background: Following induction therapy with a calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) in severe ulcerative colitis, transitioning to vedolizumab as maintenance therapy could be an option. Aim: To report on the largest cohort of patients successfully induced with CNIs who were transitioned to vedolizumab maintenance therapy. Methods: This is a retrospective observational study of adult patients with severe steroid-refractory ulcerative colitis. Patients were included if they were induced with a CNI followed by maintenance therapy with vedolizumab between January 2014 and December 2018. The primary endpoint was colectomy-free survival. Secondary endpoints included survival without vedolizumab discontinuation as well as clinical, steroid-free and biochemical remission at week 14. Results: A total of 71 patients (59% male) were treated with vedolizumab after induction therapy with CNIs for severe steroid-refractory colitis. Patients were followed for a median time of 25 months (IQR 16-36). Colectomy-free survival rates from vedolizumab initiation were 93% at 3 months, 67% at 1 year and 55% at 2 years. At the end of induction with vedolizumab at week 14, 50% of patients were in clinical remission, and 62% of patients had a normal CRP. At 1 and 2 years following vedolizumab initiation, 43% and 28% of patients were still on vedolizumab respectively. Vedolizumab was dose escalated to infusions every 4 weeks in 44% of patients. The median time to dose escalation was 5.6 months (IQR 4.1-8.2). No serious adverse events were recorded in our patient cohort. Conclusions: Transitioning to vedolizumab following induction of remission with CNIs is effective and safe.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 637-643 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics |
Volume | 51 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1 Mar 2020 |
Externally published | Yes |