Stringent Endpoint Research Articles

Network Meta-Analysis: Histologic and Histo-Endoscopic Improvement and Remission With Advanced Therapy in Ulcerative Colitis.

Histology has prognostic value in ulcerative colitis (UC). However, direct comparisons of histological endpoints are lacking. To perform a network meta-analysis (NMA) to compare histological endpoints with biologics and small molecules. We searched four databases up until July 2024 for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on advanced therapies for moderate-to-severe UC reporting histological endpoints. Outcomes included histological improvement or remission, and histo-endoscopic improvement after induction or during maintenance. We used a random-effects frequentist model and have reported outcomes as relative risk and 95% confidence interval. We estimated relative drug efficacy with the P-score. We conducted subgroup analysis by trial phase and evaluated risk of bias and evidence certainty. We included 24 RCTs (15 therapies, 8874 patients). Nineteen provided data on induction and 10 on maintenance; outcome definitions were similar. Etrasimod 2 mg/day ranked highest in achieving histologic improvement (P-score 0.98) and remission (P-score 0.90) following induction. Globally, guselkumab 200-400 mg ranked first for histo-endoscopic improvement, while etrasimod 2 mg/day and upadacitinib 45 mg/day were superior in the subgroup analysis. During maintenance, upadacitinib 30 mg/day was superior in achieving histologic improvement and remission (P-score 0.88 for both) and histo-endoscopic improvement (P-score 0.94). Etrasimod 2 mg/day ranked second for histologic remission (P-score 0.70) and histo-endoscopic improvement (P-score 0.73), while mirikizumab 200 mg/month ranked second for histologic improvement. These results support the ability of small molecules to achieve stringent endpoints in moderate-to-severe UC. Histological outcome data for biologics was sparser, particularly during maintenance. Head-to-head RCTs are imperative to better inform clinical practice.

Therapeutic Effects of Heart Failure Medical Therapies on Standardized Kidney Outcomes: Comprehensive Individual Participant-Level Analysis of 6 Randomized Clinical Trials.

Background: Kidney outcomes have been variably defined using non-standardized composite endpoints in key heart failure (HF) trials, thus introducing complexity in their interpretation and cross-trial comparability. We examined the effects of steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), the angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) sacubitril/valsartan, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors on composite kidney endpoints using uniform definitions in 6 contemporary HF trials. Methods: Individual participant-level data from trials of steroidal MRAs (EMPHASIS-HF, TOPCAT Americas), ARNI (PARADIGM-HF, PARAGON-HF), and SGLT2 inhibitors (DAPA-HF, DELIVER) were included. The standardized composite kidney endpoint was defined as a sustained decline (a reduction in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) confirmed by a subsequent measurement at least 30 days later) in eGFR by 40%, 50%, or 57%, end-stage kidney disease, or renal death. eGFR was recalculated in a standardized manner using the 2009 Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration creatinine equation. Results: Among 28,690 participants across the 6 trials (median age 69 years [IQR, 62-76]; 9,656 [33.7% ] women), the proportion experiencing the composite kidney endpoint with a more stringent definition of a sustained decline in kidney function (eGFR threshold of 57%) ranged from 0.3% to 3.3%. The proportion of patients experiencing this endpoint with a less stringent definition (eGFR threshold of 40%) ranged from 1.0% and 10.0%. The steroidal MRAs doubled the risk of the composite kidney endpoint when applying the least stringent definition compared with placebo, but these effects were less apparent and no longer significant with application of more stringent definitions. ARNI appeared to consistently reduce the occurrence of the composite kidney endpoints irrespective of specific eGFR threshold applied. The potential benefits of SGLT2-inhibitors on the composite kidney endpoints appeared more apparent when defined by more stringent eGFR thresholds, although none of these effects individually were statistically significant. Conclusions: When applying standardized stringent kidney endpoint definitions, steroidal MRAs, ARNI, and SGLT2-inhibitors have either neutral or beneficial effects on kidney outcomes in HF. Applying less stringent definitions increased event rates but included acute declines in eGFR that might not ultimately reflect long-term effects on kidney disease progression.

Achievement of Endoscopic Remission After Induction Reduces Hospitalization Burden in Crohn's Disease: Findings From a Pooled Post Hoc Analysis of Risankizumab and Upadacitinib Phase III Trials.

Endoscopic remission has emerged as an important treatment target in Crohn's disease (CD) and has been associated with improvement in long-term outcomes. We examined the relationship between achievement of endoscopic remission and hospitalizations using pooled 52-week Phase III risankizumab and upadacitinib maintenance trials for patients with moderate-to-severely active CD. Included patients received maintenance therapy after achieving a clinical response following a 12-week induction with risankizumab or upadacitinib. Endoscopic remission defined as a Simple Endoscopic Score for CD no greater than 4 with at least a 2-point reduction versus induction baseline and no subscore greater than 1. All subsequent hospitalization events were recorded until completion of the maintenance trial or discontinuation. Exposure-adjusted negative binomial regression models were estimated to assess the relationship between post-induction endoscopic remission and long-term hospitalization, controlling for demographics, clinical variables, and treatment arm. Post-induction hospitalization rates were lower in patients who achieved endoscopic remission at the end of the induction period. In multivariable models, post-induction endoscopic remission was independently associated with an IRR of 0.45 (95% CI [0.22-0.95], p=0.036) and 0.71 (95% CI [0.44-1.14], p=0.156) for long-term disease-related and all-cause hospitalizations, respectively. Week 12 endoscopic remission is independently associated with reducing 52-week disease-related hospitalizations. However, achieving this stringent endpoint within 12 weeks of therapy may be challenging. Endoscopic response may be a more realistic early endoscopic target in the post-induction timeframe. Additional research is needed to evaluate early achievement of alternative endoscopic endpoints in CD.

Treatment Targets Should Influence Choice of Infliximab Dose Intensification Strategy in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Pharmacokinetic Simulation Study.

The optimal infliximabdose intensification strategy to address loss of response associated with subtherapeutic infliximabtrough levels remains uncertain, as does whether post-intensification trough and treatment targets should influence this decision. This pharmacokineticsimulation study aimed to identify infliximab dose intensification strategies capable of achieving post-intensification infliximab trough thresholds associated with clinical and objective treatment targets in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. A validated pharmacokinetic infliximab model, applied to 200 simulated patients, identified those with subtherapeutic (<3.00mg/L) trough levels after 30weeks of standard (5mg/kg 8-weekly) dosing, and subsequently applied 10 dose intensification strategies over a further 32weeks. The proportion of simulations achieving 32-week post-intensification infliximab trough levels associated with endoscopic remission (ulcerative colitis >7.50 mg/L, Crohn's disease >9.70 mg/L) was the primary outcome, with perianal fistula healing (Crohn's disease >10.10 mg/L) and clinical improvement (ulcerative colitis >3.70 mg/L, Crohn's disease >7.00mg/L) evaluated as secondary outcomes. All outcomes were stratified by intensity of dose intensification, with standard (≤10mg/kg 8-weekly or 5mg/kg 4-weekly; n=5) and intensive (>10mg/kg 8-weekly or 5mg/kg 4-weekly; n=5) dosing strategies defined, respectively. The median pre-intensification infliximab trough level was 0.91mg/L (interquartile range 1.37). Intensive dosing strategies were more likely to achieve infliximab trough concentrations associated with endoscopic remission (ulcerative colitis 36.48% vs. 10.80%, Crohn's disease 25.98 vs. 4.68%), perianal fistula healing (24.52% vs. 4.36%) and clinical improvement (ulcerative colitis 61.90% vs. 34.86%, Crohn's disease 40.32 vs. 12.08%) than standard intensification strategies (all p<0.01). When controlling for cumulative (mg/kg) infliximab dose over 32weeks, strategies that concurrently dose increased and interval shortened achieved the highestinfliximab trough levels (all p<0.01). This simulation-based analysis highlights the potential of using post-intensification infliximab trough thresholds associated with aspirational treatment targets in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis to guide choice of infliximab dose intensification strategy. Intensive dose intensification strategies, particularly those that concurrently dose increase and interval shorten, appear to achieve higher infliximab levels than standard dose intensification strategies. This may be particularly important in the pursuit of stringent endpoints, such as endoscopic remission and fistula healing, which have been consistently associated with higher infliximab trough levels. These findings require validation across real-world cohorts.

Durable control of psoriatic arthritis with guselkumab across domains and patient characteristics: post hoc analysis of a phase 3 study.

Evaluate patterns of stringent disease control with 2 years of guselkumab across key disease-identified domains and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in subgroups of patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) defined by baseline characteristics. This post hoc analysis of DISCOVER-2 (Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03158285) evaluated biologic-naïve PsA patients (≥ 5 swollen/ ≥ 5 tender joints, C-reactive protein [CRP] ≥ 0.6 mg/dL) randomized to guselkumab every4weeks (Q4W); guselkumab at Weeks0and 4, thenQ8W; or placebo with crossover to guselkumab Q4W at Week24. Achievement of American College of Rheumatology 50/70% improvement (ACR50/70), Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) 0, dactylitis/enthesitis resolution, Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT)-Fatigue response (≥ 4-point improvement), HAQ-Disability Index (HAQ-DI) response (≥ 0.35-point improvement), PsA Disease Activity Score (PASDAS) low disease activity (LDA), and minimal disease activity (MDA) was assessed at Weeks 24, 52, and 100 in subgroups defined by sex and baseline medication use, body mass index, PsA duration, swollen/tender joints, CRP, and psoriasis severity/extent. Patients with missing categorical response data were considered nonresponders. 442/493 (90%) guselkumab-randomized patients completed treatment through Week 100. Significant multi-domain efficacy of guselkumab versus placebo was shown across adequately sized patient subgroups. A pattern of continuous improvement was observed across key PsA domains and PROs within patient subgroups: 65%-85% of guselkumab-randomized patients had enthesitis/dactylitis resolution, 50%-70% achieved complete skin clearance, 60%-80% reported meaningful improvements in function/fatigue, 40%-65% achieved PASDAS LDA, and 35%-50% achieved MDA at Week100. Patients with active PsA receiving guselkumab demonstrated durable achievement of stringent endpoints associated with disease control across key PsA domains and PROs, regardless of baseline characteristics. Key Points • Among biologic-naïve patients with highly active psoriatic arthritis (PsA), efficacy of guselkumab across stringent disease endpoints and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) at Week 24 was consistent regardless of baseline demographics and disease characteristics. • Within guselkumab-randomized PsA patient subgroups, major improvements in joint disease activity, complete skin clearance, dactylitis/enthesitis resolution, clinically meaningful improvements in PROs, and achievement of low overall disease activity were maintained through Week 100. • Durable stringent endpoint achievement indicating disease control was observed with guselkumab, regardless of baseline patient or disease characteristics.

512 - Dupilumab treatment improves satisfaction in patients with prurigo nodularis who did not achieve the multicomponent endpoint: analysis from LIBERTY-PN PRIME and PRIME2

Abstract Introduction Patients with prurigo nodularis (PN) often report high disease burden with substantial impact on quality of life. Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) and Severity (PGIS) are patient self-assessment measures that quantify their experience of disease during treatment. Dupilumab has recently been approved as the first systemic treatment for PN in the US and Europe. Objectives To evaluate patient-reported global impression of disease severity improvement in dupilumab-treated patients with PN during the LIBERTY-PN PRIME and PRIME 2 trials. Materials &amp; Methods PRIME and PRIME2 were randomized, double-blind, multicenter, parallel-group, 24-week, phase 3 trials in adults with PN with ≥20 nodules and severe itch, inadequately controlled with topical prescription therapies or for whom these are inadvisable. Patients received 300 mg dupilumab subcutaneously (600 mg loading dose; n = 153) or matched placebo (n = 158) every 2 weeks. In this analysis, data from the two studies were pooled. Patient satisfaction was assessed in the overall placebo group, overall dupilumab-treated group, and those treated with dupilumab who did not achieve the stringent multicomponent endpoint (n = 99) of ≥4-point improvement from baseline in Worst Itch Numerical Rating Scale (WI-NRS, range: 0–10) and an Investigator’s Global Assessment PN Stage (IGA PN-S, score range: 0–4) score 0 or 1 (clear or almost clear; ≤5 nodules) at Week (W) 24. Endpoints include proportion of patients achieving: PGIC (range: 0–6) scores of 0 or 1 (very much better or moderately better) at W12, and W24; and PGIS (range: 1–4) score of 1 or 2 (none or mild) at baseline, W12, and W24. Safety was also assessed. Results Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were generally similar between groups. In the overall dupilumab and placebo groups, baseline mean (SD) WI-NRS scores were 8.6 (0.9) and 8.4 (1.1), respectively; 32.7% and 34.2% had an IGA PN-S score of 4 (remaining patients had IGA PN-S 3); and mean (SD) PGIS scores were 3.7 (0.5) and 3.7 (0.5) respectively. In dupilumab multicomponent endpoint non-responders, mean (SD) WI-NRS score was 8.6 (0.9). 35.4% and 64.6% had an IGA PN-S score of 4 and 3 respectively; and mean (SD) PGIS score was 3.7 (0.5). At W12, 68.0% vs 38.0% (P &amp;lt; 0.0001 vs placebo) of dupilumab-treated vs placebo-receiving patients achieved PGIC 0 or 1, while 55.6% of dupilumab multicomponent non-responders achieved this endpoint (P = 0.0099 vs placebo). At W24, this increased to 74.5% vs 32.9% (P &amp;lt; 0.0001 vs placebo) of dupilumab-treated vs placebo-receiving patients achieving PGIC 0 or 1, and 61.6% of multicomponent non-achievers (P &amp;lt; 0.0001 vs placebo). At W12, 51.6% vs 22.2% (P &amp;lt; 0.0001 vs placebo) of dupilumab-treated vs placebo-receiving patients achieved PGIS 1 or 2, while 40.4% of multicomponent non-responders achieved the endpoint (P = 0.0027 vs placebo). At W24, 61.4% vs 24.1% (P &amp;lt; 0.0001 vs placebo) of dupilumab-treated vs placebo-receiving patients achieved PGIS 1 or 2, while 44.4% of multicomponent non-responders achieved the endpoint (P = 0.0025 vs placebo). Safety findings were consistent with the known dupilumab safety profile. Conclusions While not all patients achieved the stringent multicomponent endpoint within the 24-week treatment period during PRIME and PRIME 2 trials, around half of the dupilumab-treated patients still reported significantly more improvement in disease severity and satisfaction with therapy. Overall safety was consistent with the known dupilumab safety profile.

P678 Long-term efficacy, safety and health-related quality of life in patients who achieved comprehensive disease control with filgotinib in SELECTION: analysis of ~3 years in SELECTIONLTE

Abstract Background Filgotinib (FIL), an oral, once-daily, Janus kinase 1 inhibitor, was approved for Ulcerative Colitis (UC) treatment after the phase 2b/3 SELECTION trial (NCT02914522). In SELECTION, a greater proportion of FIL200 mg (FIL200)-treated than placebo-treated patients achieved comprehensive disease control (CDC), a stringent multi-component endpoint. We examined the long-term outcomes of achieving CDC in patients continuing on FIL200 in the ongoing long-term extension (LTE) study SELECTIONLTE (NCT02914535). Methods This interim analysis included adult patients with UC who completed SELECTION and received ≤144 weeks of FIL200 in the LTE (up to data cut-off 24/02/22). CDC (biomarker remission, endoscopic improvement, IBDQ remission and partial Mayo Clinic Score [pMCS] remission achieved concurrently) was assessed at SELECTION week 58 (LTE baseline [BL]). Mean pMCS and IBDQ score, use of corticosteroids (CS) and incidence of TEAEs and serious TEAEs in the LTE were compared between SELECTION CDC achievers and non-achievers. A mixed model for repeated measures was fitted on pMCS and IBDQ score, with CDC achiever status, study visit and the interaction between CDC achiever status and study visit as fixed effects; p values were nominal. Results We analysed 148 patients (CDC achievers, n=41; CDC non-achievers, n=107). Mean pMCS was stable in CDC achievers (0.44, LTE BL; 0.50, LTE week 144) and decreased in CDC non-achievers (1.49, LTE BL; 0.77, LTE week 144; Figure). Mean IBDQ score was stable in CDC achievers (204.05, LTE BL; 197.21, LTE week 144) and increased in CDC non-achievers (181.55, LTE BL; 196.37, LTE week 144; Figure). There was a significant beneficial effect of achieving CDC on pMCS and IBDQ score overall (pMCS: fixed effect estimate: −0.5542, p=0.0025; IBDQ score: fixed effect estimate: 13.1585, p=0.0042). There was a significant interaction between achieving CDC and study visit for IBDQ score (p=0.0183), with the benefit of achieving CDC lessening by week 144. Generally, a lower proportion of CDC achievers used CS than non-achievers; 2.4–7.3% of CDC achievers used CS vs 1.9–15.9% of CDC non-achievers. Incidence of TEAEs and serious TEAEs were stable over time and similar between CDC achievers and non-achievers. Conclusion Follow-up for ~3 years showed high levels of long-term benefit with continued FIL200 treatment. Achieving comprehensive disease control at the end of the randomized trial with FIL200 was associated with long-term efficacy, improved HRQoL and low overall use of CS. This may demonstrate the value of filgotinib-induced achievement of CDC in UC disease course. The safety profile of FIL200 was consistent between CDC achievers and non-achievers, suggesting an acceptable long-term benefit–risk profile.

P684 Using a pharmacokinetic simulation model to determine the optimal infliximab intensification strategy to address loss of response in inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract Background The optimal dose intensification strategy to address loss of response associated with low infliximab levels remains uncertain. Favorable associations between higher infliximab levels and objective endpoints imply that post-intensification trough and treatment targets may have utility. This simulation study aimed to identify intensification strategies capable of achieving post-intensification trough thresholds associated with aspirational treatment targets in Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Methods A previously published infliximab pharmacokinetic model, applied to 200 simulated patients, identified those with subtherapeutic(&amp;lt;3.00mg/L) trough levels after 30-weeks of standard dosing, and subsequently applied ten dose intensification strategies (Figure 1) over a further 32 weeks. The proportion of simulations achieving infliximab trough thresholds associated with endoscopic remission (CD &amp;gt;9.7mg/L; UC &amp;gt;7.5mg/L) was the primary outcome, with clinical improvement (CD &amp;gt;7.0mg/L; UC &amp;gt;3.7mg/L) and perianal fistula healing (CD &amp;gt;10.1mg/L) representing secondary outcomes. Outcomes were stratified by intensity of dose intensification, with five deemed intensive (&amp;gt;10mg/kg 8-weekly). The impact of pre-intensification antibodies to infliximab (ATI) on post-intensification trough levels was also evaluated. Results The median pre-intensification infliximab trough level was 0.91mg/L (IQR 1.31). Intensive intensification strategies were more likely to achieve infliximab trough concentrations associated with endoscopic remission (UC: 34.76 v 10.56%, CD: 25.80 v 4.92%), clinical improvement (UC: 61.40 v 34.52%, CD: 39.58 v 12.12%) and perianal fistula healing (24.70 v 4.50%, all p&amp;lt;0.01) than standard intensification strategies (Figure 2). When controlling for cumulative (mg/kg) infliximab dose over 32 weeks, strategies that concurrently dose increased and interval shortened achieved the highest trough levels (all p&amp;lt;0.01). Patients simulated to have ATI prior to dose intensification had lower median infliximab trough levels at weeks 30/32 (3.38 mg/L, IQR 5.52 mg/L) compared to those without ATI (3.89 mg/L IQR 6.14 mg/L) across all dose intensification strategies (p=0.015). Conclusion This simulation-based analysis highlights the potential of using post-intensification trough level targets to guide dosing strategy and intensity. Combined high-dose, interval-shortened strategies appear to achieve higher infliximab levels, which may be important in the pursuit of stringent endpoints such as endoscopic remission and fistula healing. These findings require validation across real-world cohorts.

Very-Low-Level Viremia, Inflammatory Biomarkers, and Associated Baseline Variables: Three-Year Results of the Randomized TANGO Study.

We compared proportions of participants with target detected, target not detected (TND), and elevated viral load (VL) and assessed baseline variables associated with week 144 inflammatory biomarker levels between dolutegravir-lamivudine (DTG/3TC) and tenofovir alafenamide-based regimens (TBRs) in the TANGO study (post hoc). TANGO is an open-label, multicenter, phase 3 study that randomized adults with VL <50 copies/mL to switch to once-daily fixed-dose DTG/3TC or continue TBR. At baseline and each study visit, the VL was measured. Elevated VL event frequencies were assessed, including "blips." Interleukin 6, D-dimer, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, soluble CD14, and soluble CD163 were measured at baseline and at week 144. Loge-transformed week 144 biomarker levels were compared between treatment groups using an analysis of covariance model adjusting for baseline variables. High, comparable proportions of participants had VL <40 copies/mL and TND at week 144 (DTG/3TC, 279 of 369 [76%]; TBR, 267 of 372 [72%], intention-to-treat exposed Snapshot analysis; adjusted difference, 3.9% [95% confidence interval, -2.5% to 10.2%]), with similar TND proportions at all postbaseline visits (123 of 369 [33%] vs 101 of 372 [27%], respectively). Similar proportions of DTG/3TC participants had ≥1 postbaseline VL ≥50 copies/mL (28 of 369 [8%] vs 42 of 372 [11%] for TBR), primarily blips (18 of 369 [5%] and 26 of 372 [7%], respectively). Week 144 inflammatory biomarker levels were low and comparable between groups and associated with multiple demographic and baseline characteristics, including baseline biomarker levels, indicating a multifactorial inflammatory response. Week 144 biomarker levels were low and generally comparable between treatment groups, reflecting similar, robust, and durable viral suppression observed using the stringent TND end point. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03446573.

P81 Long-term efficacy of abrocitinib in adolescents and adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: a post hoc analysis of JADE EXTEND

Abstract Differences exist in the manifestation and disease course of atopic dermatitis (AD) between adult and adolescent patients. Long-term efficacy of abrocitinib (an oral, once-daily Janus kinase 1-selective inhibitor) was examined in the phase III extension study JADE EXTEND (NCT03422822). This interim post hoc analysis assessed abrocitinib treatment efficacy up to 96 weeks in adolescents and adults with moderate-to-severe AD who enrolled in JADE EXTEND. Eligible adolescents (aged 12 to &amp;lt; 18 years) and adults (≥ 18 years) from the phase III trials JADE MONO-1 (NCT03349060), MONO-2 (NCT03575871), COMPARE (NCT03720470), TEEN (NCT03796676) and DARE (NCT04345367) were enrolled in JADE EXTEND. Patients randomized to abrocitinib (200 mg or 100 mg) in the parent studies received blinded abrocitinib at the same dose in JADE EXTEND; those receiving placebo or dupilumab were randomized to either abrocitinib dose in JADE EXTEND. Patients from JADE DARE received abrocitinib 200 mg in JADE EXTEND. Analyses assessed the proportions of patients achieving an Investigator’s Global Assessment score of clear or almost clear (IGA 0/1); ≥ 75%, ≥ 90% and ≥ 100% improvement from baseline in Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI-75, EASI-90 and EASI-100, respectively); ≥ 4-point improvement from baseline in Peak Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale score (PP-NRS4; used with permission from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Sanofi); PP-NRS score of no or very little itch (PP-NRS 0/1); and ≥ 4-point improvement from baseline in the Patient Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM ≥ 4). The JADE EXTEND data cutoff date was 25 September 2021. This analysis included 357 adolescents and 1309 adults (excluding patients previously randomized to dupilumab). Age at parent study screening visit determined age categorization. Baseline disease severity was higher in adolescents than adults [IGA 4 (severe); 42.3% vs. 36.7%]. At week 96, responder proportions were comparable for adolescents and adults for EASI-75 (abrocitinib 200 mg: 84.4% vs. 85.7%; abrocitinib 100 mg: 81.3% vs. 76.1%), PP-NRS4 (200 mg: 69.4% vs. 69.3%; 100 mg: 60.3% vs. 59.8%) and POEM ≥ 4 (200 mg: 84.4% vs. 88.6%; 100 mg: 79.2% vs. 80.8%), and largely comparable for the stringent endpoints of EASI-90 (200 mg: 62.3% vs. 61.1%; 100 mg: 50.7% vs. 48.1%), EASI-100 (200 mg: 32.5% vs. 21.8%; 100 mg: 18.7% vs. 18.7%), IGA 0/1 (200 mg: 53.2% vs. 55.9%; 100 mg: 49.3% vs. 45.1%) and PP-NRS 0/1 (200 mg: 42.9% vs. 39.5%; 100 mg: 33.3% vs. 32.3%). Long-term efficacy of abrocitinib treatment up to 96 weeks was comparable for adolescents and adults with moderate-to-severe AD, including substantial proportions achieving stringent endpoints of EASI-90, EASI-100, IGA 0/1 or PP-NRS 0/1. Funding sources: Pfizer Inc.

Sustained Remission and Outcomes with Abatacept plus Methotrexate Following Stepwise Dose De-escalation in Patients with Early Rheumatoid Arthritis.

One target of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment is to achieve early sustained remission; over the long term, patients in sustained remission have less structural joint damage and physical disability. We evaluated Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI) remission with abatacept + methotrexate versus abatacept placebo + methotrexate and impact of de-escalation (DE) in anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA)-positive patients with early RA. The phase IIIb, randomized, AVERT-2 two-stage study (NCT02504268) evaluated weekly abatacept + methotrexate versus abatacept placebo + methotrexate. SDAI remission (≤ 3.3) at week24. Pre-planned exploratory endpoint: maintenance of remission in patients with sustained remission (weeks40 and 52) who, from week56 for 48weeks (DE period), (1) continued combination abatacept + methotrexate, (2) tapered abatacept to every other week (EOW) + methotrexate for 24weeks with subsequent abatacept withdrawal (abatacept placebo + methotrexate), or (3) withdrew methotrexate (abatacept monotherapy). Primary study endpoint was not met: 21.3% (48/225) of patients in the combination and 16.0% (24/150) in the abatacept placebo + methotrexate arm achieved SDAI remission at week24 (p = 0.2359). There were numerical differences favoring combination therapy in clinical assessments, patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and week52 radiographic non-progression. After week56, 147 patients in sustained remission with abatacept + methotrexate were randomized (combination, n = 50; DE/withdrawal, n = 50; abatacept monotherapy, n = 47) and entered DE. At DE week48, SDAI remission (74%) and PRO improvements were mostly maintained with continued combination therapy; lower remission rates were observed with abatacept placebo + methotrexate (48.0%) and with abatacept monotherapy (57.4%). Before withdrawal, de-escalating to abatacept EOW + methotrexate preserved remission. The stringent primary endpoint was not met. However, in patients achieving sustained SDAI remission, numerically more maintained remission with continued abatacept + methotrexate versus abatacept monotherapy or withdrawal. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT02504268. Video abstract (MP4 62241 KB).

Combination biologic therapy for ulcerative colitis

In The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Brian Feagan and colleagues report the results of VEGA, the first randomised, controlled trial investigating the efficacy and safety of short-term combination therapy with biologics in patients with moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis. 1 Feagan BG Sands BE Sandborn WJ et al. Guselkumab plus golimumab combination therapy versus guselkumab or golimumab monotherapy in patients with ulcerative colitis (VEGA): a randomised, double-blind, controlled, phase 2, proof-of-concept trial. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2023; (published online Feb 1.)https://doi.org/10.1016/S2468-1253(22)00427-7 Google Scholar Patients were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to receive anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor golimumab, interleukin (IL)-23p19 inhibitor guselkumab, or combined therapy with both golimumab and guselkumab, referred to as combined therapy hereafter. The primary endpoint of the trial was clinical response at week 12. At week 12, 59 (83%) of 71 patients in the combination therapy group had achieved clinical response compared with 44 (61%) of 72 patients in the golimumab monotherapy group (adjusted treatment difference 22·1% [80% CI 12·9 to 31·3]; nominal p=0·0032) and 53 (75%) of 71 patients in the guselkumab monotherapy group (adjusted treatment difference 8·5% [–0·2 to 17·1; nominal p=0·2155). However, the prespecified criterion for significance (the superiority of combination therapy to both monotherapy groups for the primary endpoint at the two-sided significance level of 0·2) was not met. The fact that the primary endpoint of the trial was not met does not detract from the importance of the study findings: twice as many patients in the combination therapy group achieved the more stringent endpoint of clinical remission when compared with either monotherapy group. At weeks 12 and 38, the proportion of patients who met other objective endpoints, including endoscopic, histological, and composite histological-endoscopic endpoints was numerically higher in the combination therapy group than either monotherapy. Guselkumab plus golimumab combination therapy versus guselkumab or golimumab monotherapy in patients with ulcerative colitis (VEGA): a randomised, double-blind, controlled, phase 2, proof-of-concept trialData from this proof-of-concept study suggest that combination therapy with guselkumab and golimumab might be more effective for ulcerative colitis than therapy with either drug alone. These findings require confirmation in larger trials. Full-Text PDF

P602 Achievement of stringent histologic and composite endpoints in subjects with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis treated with etrasimod: a post hoc analysis of the phase 3 ELEVATE UC 52 and ELEVATE UC 12 trials

Abstract Background In ulcerative colitis (UC), persistent histological activity is associated with higher rates of relapse and long-term complications, even when endoscopic remission is achieved; therefore, histological healing is a potentially important treatment target. Etrasimod is an investigational, once-daily, oral, selective sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 1,4,5 (S1P1,4,5) modulator for the treatment of moderately to severely active UC. This post hoc analysis of the phase 3 ELEVATE programme evaluated the efficacy of etrasimod according to different histologic and composite endpoints. Methods In ELEVATE UC 52 (NCT03945188) and ELEVATE UC 12 (NCT03996369), subjects (16-80 years) with moderately to severely active UC were randomised 2:1 to once-daily etrasimod 2 mg or placebo (PBO). ELEVATE UC 52 utilized a treat-through design comprising a 12-week induction period followed by a 40-week maintenance period. ELEVATE UC 12 comprised a 12-week induction period. A key secondary endpoint was the achievement of endoscopic improvement-histologic remission (EIHR). In this post hoc analysis (baseline MMS 5-9), efficacy of etrasimod was compared to PBO at weeks 12 and 52 in ELEVATE UC 52 and week 12 in ELEVATE UC 12 using additional histologic and composite endpoints defined in Table 1. Results At week 12 and at week 52, significant improvements with etrasimod were observed in histologic outcomes, including EIHR (with and without eosinophils), histologic remission, histologic-endoscopic mucosal improvement (HEMI), endoscopic normalization-histologic remission (with and without eosinophils), and disease clearance (Figure 1). In both studies, etrasimod was superior to PBO in achievement of HEMI at week 12 (ELEVATE UC 52 and UC 12: 27.7% vs 8.9%, and 25.7% vs 10.7%, both P&amp;lt;0.001) and at week 52 (ELEVATE UC 52: 32.8% vs 8.9%; P&amp;lt;0.001). Etrasimod was also superior to PBO in achievement of histologic remission at week 12 (33.9% vs 9.6%) and at week 52 (30.7% vs 14.1%, both P&amp;lt;0.001) in ELEVATE UC 52, but not ELEVATE UC 12. Etrasimod was superior to PBO using the more stringent endpoints of endoscopic normalization-histologic remission (week 12 ELEVATE UC 52 and UC 12: 10.6% vs 1.5%, P&amp;lt;0.001 and 10.4% vs 4.5%, P=0.030; week 52 ELEVATE UC 52: 18.2% vs 5.2%; P&amp;lt;0.001) and disease clearance (week 12 ELEVATE UC 52 and UC 12: 8.4% vs 1.5%, P&amp;lt;0.001 and 9.9% vs 4.5%, P=0.042; week 52 ELEVATE UC 52: 18.6% vs 3.7%; P&amp;lt;0.001). Conclusion In this post hoc analysis, etrasimod was superior to PBO for achievement of stringent composite endpoints including EIHR, endoscopic normalization-histologic remission, and disease clearance in both ELEVATE UC 52 and ELEVATE UC 12.

343 Dupilumab efficacy on itch and skin lesions in adult patients with prurigo nodularis may be observed concurrently or independently over 24 weeks: results from two phase 3 trials

Abstract Prurigo nodularis (PN) is a chronic inflammatory and pruritic skin disease. Clinically it is characterized by intense pruritus accompanied by hyperkeratotic nodules often associated with a very low quality of life including sleep disruption. The FDA has recently approved dupilumab as the only treatment for PN, but it is unknown to what extent within-patient categorical improvements in itch and skin lesions occurred concurrently or independently. Two phase 3 clinical trials, LIBERTY-PN PRIME and PRIME2, demonstrated dupilumab efficacy and safety in patients with PN. To report the efficacy of dupilumab on signs and symptoms in adult patients with PN who did and did not achieve the multicomponent endpoint. LIBERTY-PN PRIME (NCT04183335) and PRIME2 (NCT04202679) were randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre, parallel-group, phase 3 trials in adult patients with PN with ≥20 PN lesions and severe itch, inadequately controlled with topical prescription therapies or for whom these are inadvisable. Here, data were pooled from the two studies. Patients received 300 mg dupilumab subcutaneously (600 mg loading dose; n = 153) or matched placebo (n = 158) every 2 weeks for 24 weeks. This abstract assesses efficacy in patients who did and those who did not achieve the stringent multicomponent endpoint of ≥4-point improvement from baseline in Worst Itch Numerical Rating Scale (WI-NRS, range: 0–10) and Investigator’s Global Assessment PN Stage (IGA PN-S, score range: 0–4) score 0 or 1 (clear or almost clear; defined as 5 or fewer nodules) at week 24. Endpoints include a proportion of patients with concomitant ≥4-point reduction in WI-NRS from baseline and IGA PN-S score 0 or 1 at week 24; the proportion of patients with ≥4-point reduction in WI-NRS from baseline or IGA PN-S score 0 or 1 at week 24; and proportion of patients not achieving ≥4-point reduction in WI-NRS from baseline and IGA PN-S score 0 or 1 at week 24. Safety was also assessed. Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were generally balanced between subgroups. The proportion of patients treated with dupilumab and placebo who achieved the multicomponent endpoints was 35.3% and 8.9%, respectively; and who achieved WI-NRS reduction of ≥4 points from baseline or IGA PN-S score 0 or 1 at week 24 was 69.9% and 27.2%, respectively. Among multicomponent nonresponders in the dupilumab group (n = 99), 36.4% achieved WI-NRS reduction of ≥4 points and 17.2% achieved IGA PN-S score 0 or 1; in the placebo group (n = 144), corresponding values were 11.1% and 9.0%, respectively. In the dupilumab group, 23.5% achieved only WI-NRS ≥4-point reduction from baseline at week 24, and 11.1% achieved only IGA PN-S score 0 or 1 at week 24. In the placebo group, corresponding data were 10.1%, and 8.2%, respectively. Safety findings were consistent with the known dupilumab safety profile. More than one-third of dupilumab-treated patients achieved the multicomponent endpoint at week 24, constituting concurrent responses on both itch and skin lesions. However, more than two-thirds had clinically meaningful improvement by week 24, defined as either ≥4-point reduction in WI-NRS from baseline, IGA PN-S score 0/1, or both. Almost one-quarter of dupilumab-treated patients met only WI-NRS ≥4-point improvement at week 24, suggesting that skin lesion improvement may lag behind the improvement of itch. Conversely, one-ninth met only IGA PN-S score of 0 or 1 at week 24 suggesting that, in addition to the overlapping mechanisms by which dupilumab ameliorates pruritus and skin lesions, there are independent treatment effects on itch and skin remodelling. Safety was consistent with the known safety profile of dupilumab across approved indications.

Population Pharmacokinetic and Exposure-Response Analyses for Efficacy and Safety of Risankizumab in Patients With Active Crohn's Disease.

The population pharmacokinetics (PK) of risankizumab and exposure-response relationships for efficacy and safety in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) were characterized using data from phase II and III studies to support dosing regimen selection. A two-compartment model with first-order absorption and first-order elimination adequately described risankizumab PK. Covariates including sex, baseline fecal calprotectin, corticosteroid use, baseline creatinine clearance, body weight, and baseline albumin were statistically correlated with risankizumab clearance, but their impact on exposure was not clinically relevant for efficacy or safety. Exposure-response analyses showed that exposures associated with the 600 mg intravenous (i.v.) induction dose at Weeks 0, 4, and 8 achieved a near maximal response for all efficacy end points evaluated, with negligible added benefit from the 1,200 mg i.v. regimen. By Week 52 of the maintenance treatment, trends of higher responses were observed for the exposure range associated with the 360 mg subcutaneous (s.c.) every-8-weeks (Q8W) regimen for most of the evaluated efficacy end points, particularly for the more stringent end points, such as endoscopic remission and ulcer-free endoscopy. Exposure-response analyses for safety did not identify any apparent relationship between exposure and safety. These results supported the final dose recommendation of 600 mg i.v. at Weeks 0, 4, and 8, followed by 360 mg s.c. at Week 12 and Q8W thereafter in patients with CD.

A Phase IIIb, Multicentre, Interventional, Randomised, Placebo‐Controlled Clinical Trial Investigating the Efficacy and Safety of Guselkumab for the Treatment of Nonpustular Palmoplantar Psoriasis (G‐PLUS)

Introduction. Despite the availability of effective biologic therapies for psoriasis, there is no gold‐standard treatment for nonpustular palmoplantar psoriasis (ppPsO). Methods. G‐PLUS, a phase IIIb, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, multicentre clinical trial, randomised adults with moderate‐to‐severe nonpustular ppPsO and limited plaque psoriasis (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) ≥3 but &lt;10) to guselkumab (an interleukin‐23p19 blocker) or placebo. Placebo participants were crossed over to receive guselkumab at week (Wk) 16. The primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of participants achieving palmoplantar PASI (ppPASI) 75 response at Wk16; clinical, biomarker, and quality‐of‐life endpoints were assessed through Wk48 and safety through Wk56. Results. At Wk16, ppPASI75 response was achieved by 35.9% of the guselkumab participants compared with 28.2% in the placebo group, resulting in a 7.7% difference in response rates (95% confidence interval: −11.5 and 24.7), which was not statistically significant (p = 0.533). More pronounced numerical improvements favouring guselkumab were observed for more stringent efficacy endpoints, such as Wk16 palmoplantar Investigator’s Global Assessment (ppIGA) 0/1 response (guselkumab 34.6% vs. placebo 15.4%). Through Wk48, further improvements were observed in ppPASI75 response (55.1% and 64.1%) and ppIGA 0/1 response (42.3% and 48.7%) for the guselkumab and placebo‐crossover groups, respectively. Dermatology Life Quality Index responses showed comparable trends at both timepoints. Safety and pharmacodynamic findings were consistent with the established profile for guselkumab. Serum biomarker levels were significantly reduced with guselkumab and correlated with the baseline PASI score but not the ppPASI score. Conclusion. Although the primary endpoint was not met, analysis of stringent secondary endpoints and post hoc analyses showed numerical improvements favouring guselkumab at Wk16. There were no new safety signals. Further studies are warranted to better understand the impact of guselkumab treatment in patients with ppPsO. This trial is registered with NCT03998683.

S87 Risankizumab Maintenance Therapy Is Effective in Patients Achieving CDAI Clinical Response With Induction Therapy: Post Hoc Analysis From FORTIFY

Background: Risankizumab specifically inhibits interleukin 23 by binding to its p19 subunit. Primary results from the phase 3 induction and maintenance trials of risankizumab in patients with moderate-to-severe Crohn’s disease demonstrate risankizumab is efficacious and well tolerated. In contrast to the primary FORTIFY maintenance study analysis that evaluated clinical and endoscopic outcomes at week 52 among patients who met criteria for clinical response based on patient-reported outcomes (European Medicines Agency recommendation), this analysis evaluated patients who met the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended criteria for clinical response based on ≥ 100-point reduction in Crohn’s Disease Activity Index (CDAI). Methods: Patients who achieved CDAI clinical response (≥ 100-point reduction from baseline) with 12 weeks of risankizumab intravenous induction therapy and were randomized to receive subcutaneous risankizumab 360 mg, risankizumab 180 mg, or placebo (withdrawal from intravenous risankizumab) every 8 weeks for 52 weeks in FORTIFY (NCT03105102) were evaluated. Assessments at week 52 included the FORTIFY coprimary endpoints of clinical remission (CDAI < 150) and endoscopic response (> 50% decrease in Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn’s Disease [SES-CD] or ≥ 2-point reduction in SES-CD for patients with isolated ileal disease and baseline SES-CD of 4), other clinical and endoscopic outcomes, and safety. Results were evaluated based on previous inadequate response or intolerance to biologic therapy (with, Bio-IR; without, non-Bio-IR). Results: A total of 382 patients (risankizumab 360 mg, n = 117; risankizumab 180 mg, n = 135; placebo, n = 130) were included in efficacy analyses. At week 52 of maintenance therapy, clinical remission was achieved by 56.8%, 61.5%, and 46.2% of patients in the risankizumab 360 mg, risankizumab 180 mg, and withdrawal/placebo groups, respectively (P < .05 for both risankizumab groups vs placebo). Clinical remission rates were numerically higher for the non-Bio-IR population (non-Bio-IR: 360 mg, 70.6%; 180 mg, 75.0%; placebo, 64.5%. Bio-IR: 360 mg, 51.1%; 180 mg, 55.8%; placebo, 40.4%). Endoscopic response was achieved by 48.5%, 50.4%, and 21.5% of patients in the risankizumab 360 mg, risankizumab 180 mg, and withdrawal/placebo groups, respectively (P < .001 for both risankizumab groups vs placebo). Endoscopic response rates were numerically higher for the non-Bio-IR population (non-Bio-IR: 360 mg, 58.8%; 180 mg, 65.0%; placebo, 22.6%. Bio-IR: 360 mg, 44.3%; 180 mg, 44.2%; placebo, 21.2%). Response rates for more stringent endoscopic endpoints were numerically higher with risankizumab 360 mg than risankizumab 180 mg (ulcer-free endoscopy, 32.6%, 25.2%; endoscopic remission, 41.2%, 32.6%; deep remission, 32.6%, 28.1%) and consistent with a dose-response relationship. Exposure-adjusted rates of adverse events (AEs), serious AEs, and AEs leading to discontinuation were similar across groups. Conclusion(s): Efficacy and safety results among patients who achieved CDAI clinical response with risankizumab induction therapy were generally similar to those observed for the overall FORTIFY population.1 Risankizumab was superior to placebo for achieving clinical remission and endoscopic response at week 52, more stringent endpoints (endoscopic remission/deep remission) were consistent with a dose-response relationship, and risankizumab maintenance treatment was generally well tolerated.

Magnitude and Time Course of Response to Abrocitinib for Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis

Emerging treatments for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) may provide greater and faster improvement in AD signs and symptoms than current therapies. To examine JADE COMPARE (NCT03720470) data using stringent efficacy end points. Adults with moderate-to-severe AD were randomly assigned 2:2:2:1 to receive oral abrocitinib 200 or 100 mg once daily, subcutaneous dupilumab 300 mg every 2 weeks (600-mg loading dose), or placebo, with medicated topical therapy for 16 weeks. Stringent response thresholds were applied for Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI), Investigator's Global Assessment, Dermatology Life Quality Index, Peak Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale, and Night Time Itch Scale severity. At week 16, 48.9%, 38.0%, and 38.8% of the abrocitinib 200-mg, 100-mg, and dupilumab groups, respectively, achieved greater than or equal to 90% improvement from baseline in EASI versus 11.3% placebo; 14.9%, 12.6%, and 6.5% achieved Investigator's Global Assessment 0 (clear) versus 4.8% placebo; 29.7%, 21.6%, and 24.0% achieved Dermatology Life Quality Index 0/1 (no/minimal impact on quality of life) versus 10.6% placebo; and 57.1%, 44.5%, and 46.1% achieved Night Time Itch Scale severity 0/1 (no/minimal night-time itch) versus 31.9% placebo. Kaplan-Meier median time to greater than or equal to 90% improvement from baseline in EASI was 59, 113, and 114 days in the abrocitinib 200-mg, 100-mg, and dupilumab groups, respectively, and was not evaluable for placebo; median time to Peak Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale 0/1 (no/very minimal itch) was 86 and 116 days for abrocitinib 200-mg and dupilumab groups, respectively, and was not evaluable for abrocitinib 100-mg and placebo groups. A greater proportion of patients treated with abrocitinib than placebo had almost complete control of AD signs and symptoms.

A37 EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF RISANKIZUMAB AS MAINTENANCE THERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH CROHN’S DISEASE: 52 WEEK RESULTS FROM THE PHASE 3 FORTIFY STUDY

BackgroundRisankizumab (RZB), an anti-IL-23 p19 inhibitor, was well-tolerated and superior to placebo (PBO) in inducing clinical remission and endoscopic response in patients (pts) with moderate-to-severe Crohn’s disease (CD) in two phase 3 studies at 12 weeks.AimsFORTIFY (NCT03105102), was a 52-week (wk) phase 3 double-blind, re-randomized responder withdrawal study that evaluated the efficacy and safety of continuing RZB as subcutaneous (SC) maintenance therapy versus withdrawal to placebo in pts achieving induction response to RZBMethodsWeek 12 IV RZB responders were re-randomized 1:1:1 to: RZB SC 360mg (N=141), RZB 180mg (N=157), or PBO (withdrawal from IV RZB; N=164) every 8wks for 52wks. Co-primary endpoints were clinical remission (per CD Activity Index [CDAI] (US); or stool frequency/abdominal pain score [SF/APS] (OUS) and endoscopic response at wk52. Other clinical and endoscopic endpoints, inflammatory biomarkers, RZB serum levels, and safety were assessed over time.ResultsRates of clinical remission (CDAI, SF/APS) and clinical response were similar for RZB and PBO groups through wk24, with rates lower for PBO thereafter. At wk52, clinical remission (CDAI, SF/APS) and endoscopic response rates were significantly higher with RZB 360mg than PBO ( P<0.01); RZB 180mg was superior to PBO for clinical remission per CDAI and endoscopic response ( P<0.01). Endoscopic remission and deep remission rates increased over time with 360mg, remained steady with 180mg, and decreased with PBO. Mean fecal calprotectin (FCP) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels decreased with SC RZB, but increased with PBO, over 52wks. Exposure-adjusted event rates (per 100 pts-years) of serious adverse event (AE) were generally similar among groups (360mg, 21.0 E/100PY and 180mg, 19.5 E/100PY vs PBO, 19.3 E/100PY), as were AEs leading to drug discontinuation (4.8 E/100PY and 2.4 E/100PY vs 3.7 E/100PY), and serious infections (6.0 E/100PY and 3.0 E/100PY vs 5.0 E/100PY).ConclusionsIn pts with moderate-to-severe CD, a robust pharmacodynamic effect on the IL-23 pathway after 12wks RZB IV induction was maintained with RZB SC maintenance therapy. The durability of RZB was demonstrated with high rates of efficacy over the 52-wk study. RZB was superior to PBO for achieving clinical remission and endoscopic response at wk52. Results for the more stringent endpoints (endoscopic remission\\deep remission) and persistent improvements in inflammatory biomarkers are consistent with a dose response relationship. Continued RZB SC maintenance treatment was generally safe and well-tolerated.Funding AgenciesAbbVie

P406 Disease clearance in patients with ulcerative colitis treated with aminosalicylates

Abstract Background Current treatment goals in inflammatory bowel disease include clinical remission and endoscopic healing. A new concept of disease clearance (DC) is emerging as a new therapeutic target in ulcerative colitis (UC). Although not yet clearly defined, it reflects a combination of clinical, endoscopic, and histological remission1. Preliminary data suggest that DC is achievable with biologic therapy. Aim: to evaluate if patients treated with, 5-ASA with DC can maintain sustained remission and the incidence of negative disease outcomes. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study including adult patients with confirmed UC treated with, 5-ASA. Patients performing colonoscopy with biopsies between, 2017 and, 2019, with at least, 1 year of follow-up were eligible for inclusion. DC was measured at baseline and was defined as clinical (partial Mayo score ≤2), endoscopic (endoscopic Mayo score ≤1) and histological remission (chronic inactive/quiescent colitis)1. Negative disease outcomes included need for systemic steroids, therapy escalation (immunomodulators and/or biologics) and UC-related hospitalization or surgery during follow-up. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed. Results We included, 56 patients with UC treated with, 5-ASA and with DC at baseline. Mean age at diagnosis was, 41.2 ±, 15 years, 59% (n=33) were female and mean disease duration was, 6.9 ±, 7.3 months. History of smoking (current or former) was present in, 36% (n=20) of the patients. Most of the patients (54%) presented with left-sided colitis. Mean follow-up was, 34.6 ±, 10.7 months. During the follow-up, 14.3 % (n=8) had a negative outcome (flare requiring systemic corticosteroids (n=6), therapy escalation to immunomodulator or biologic treatment (n=6) or hospitalization (n=1)). None of the patients needed surgery. Negative outcomes were associated with shorter disease duration (3.4 vs, 7.4 years, p=0.003). No other factors were associated with the outcomes namely sex, UC extent, smoker status, age at diagnosis or previous use of corticosteroids. There was no difference on prognosis between patients with baseline endoscopic Mayo score, 0 or, 1 (p=, 0.066). In the survival analysis, the cumulative probability of maintaining remission was, 76% at, 3 years. Conclusion DC in UC patients treated with, 5-ASA was associated with a high cumulative probability of maintaining remission, suggesting that the benefits of such stringent endpoint may be independent of the therapy used. Reference 1. S Danese, S Schreiber, E Loftus, Jr., J F Colombel, L Peyrin-Biroulet, C Agboton, D Lindner, R Lirio, B Sands, P271 Evolving Targets in Ulcerative colitis: Defining Disease Clearance in the VARSITY Study, Journal of Crohn’s and Colitis,Volume, 15, Issue Supplement1, May, 2021, Page S305