Ustekinumab Research Articles

Effectiveness of ustekinumab in patients with psoriatic arthritis in a real-world, multicenter study.

To assess the effectiveness and survival of ustekinumab (UST) among patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) treated under routine clinical care. Multicenter study. Epidemiological and clinical data was collected through electronic medical records of all patients with PsA who started UST in 15 hospitals of Spain. Two hundred and one patients were included, 130 (64.7%) with 45mg and 71 (35.3%) with 90mg. One hundred and thirty one patients (65.2%) had previously received another biological therapy. The median baseline DAS 28 ESR was 3.99, and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) was 3. Overall, there was a significant decrease in DAS66/68 CRP, swollen joint count (SJC), tender joint count (TJC), and PASI in the first month of treatment, with earlier improvement in skin (PASI) than joints outcomes. Survival was numerically lower in patients with UST 45mg (58.1%) than 90mg (76.1%), although significant differences were not found (p = 0.147). When comparing naïve and <1 TNF blocker versus > 2 TNF blocker-experienced patients, a significantly earlier response was seen in the former group regarding SJC (p = 0.029) at 1month. Fifty-one patients (25.3%) stopped UST due to joint inefficacy and 4 patients due to adverse events (1.9%). Drug survival was significantly better in patients with fewer lines of previous biological agents (p = 0.003 for < 1 TNF blocker versus > 2 TNF blocker users). UST was effective in PsA patients in a routine clinical care setting. Patients with UST 90mg and fewer lines of previous biologics achieved better and faster responses. Key Points • Largest cohort of patients with PsA in treatment with UST with specific rheumatological indication. • First cohort of patients with PsA comparing effectiveness of UST according to 45/90mg dose.

O24 Concomitant treatment with MTX does not increase the efficacy of ustekinumab or TFNi in PsA: results from the PsABio study

Abstract Background The additional benefit of methotrexate (MTX) as a concomitant treatment in PsA has not been fully elucidated for TNF inhibitors (TNFi) and no real-world data on this currently exist for ustekinumab (UST). We investigated the additive effect of MTX on the ability to reach composite treatment targets beyond monotherapy with UST or TNFi, and the ability to improve patient-reported outcomes in a real-world clinical setting in 8 European countries. Methods The PsABio study (NCT02627768) evaluates persistence, effectiveness and tolerability of 1st, 2nd or 3rd-line UST or TNFi in patients with PsA. Proportions of patients reaching minimal disease activity (MDA)/very low disease activity (VLDA) and clinical Disease Activity in Psoriatic Arthritis (cDAPSA) low disease activity (LDA) or remission, as well as the patient acceptable symptom state (PASS; score ≤4) of the 12-item Psoriatic Arthritis Impact of Disease questionnaire (PsAID-12) were evaluated. Here we present 6-month follow-up data using intention to treat (ITT) analysis; patients who stopped/switched initial treatment were imputed as non-responders. The effect of MTX co-therapy was investigated within UST and TNFi cohorts, as well as between the cohorts, using multivariate logistic regression including interaction terms, and propensity score (PS) analysis to adjust for imbalanced, potentially prognostic, baseline covariates. Results Of 930 patients, data was available for 868 ITT patients, including patients who switched/stopped before 6 months (UST: n = 28/426 [6.6%], TNFi: n = 44/442 [10.0%]). At baseline there were no relevant differences in demographics and disease activity, however there were significant differences in skin involvement as well as csDMARD and NSAID exposure. Co-therapy with MTX did not increase the likelihood of achieving any of the outcomes in either the UST or TNFi cohorts (Table 1). After PS adjustment, co-treatment with MTX did not influence treatment effects differently when added to UST compared with TNFi. concomitant use of csDMARDs other than MTX yielded very similar results. Conclusion In a real-world setting, concomitant treatment with MTX in addition to UST or TNFi was not associated with enhanced effects across a broad variety of disease outcomes, including disease activity, disease impact, and skin involvement within or between treatment cohorts, after PS adjustment for baseline confounders. Disclosures S. Siebert: Consultancies; AbbVie, UCB, Pfizer, Janssen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Celgene, Novartis. Grants/research support; Pfizer, Janssen, BMS, Celgene, UCB, Boehringer Ingelheim. E. Gremese: Consultancies; AbbVie, BMS, Celgene, Janssen, Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Sanofi, UCB, Roche, Pfizer. P. Bergmans: Shareholder/stock ownership; Johnson &amp; Johnson. Other; Employee of Janssen. K. de Vlam: Consultancies; Johnson &amp; Johnson. B. Joven-Ibáñez: Member of speakers’ bureau; Celgene, Novartis, MSD, Pfizer, AbbVie, Janssen. G. Katsifis: None. T.V. Korotaeva: Consultancies; Pfizer, MSD, Novartis, AbbVie, Celgene, Biocad, Janssen, UCB, Lilly, Novartis-Sandoz. W. Noël: Other; Employee of Janssen. C. Selmi: None. P.P. Sfikakis: None. P. Smirnov: Other; Employee of Janssen. E. Theander: Other; Employee of Janssen. M.T. Nurmohamed: Grants/research support; Pfizer, AbbVie, Roche, BMS, MSD, Mundipharma, UCB, Janssen, Menarini, Lilly, Sanofi, Celgene. L. Gossec: Honoraria; AbbVie, Celgene, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis-Sandoz, Pfizer, Sanofi, UCB. Grants/research support; Pfizer. J.S. Smolen: Consultancies; AbbVie, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Astro, Celgene, Celtrion, GlaxoSmithKline, ILTOO Pharma, Janssen, Lilly, Medimmune, MSD, Novartis-Sandoz, Pfizer, Roche, Samsung, Sanofi, UCB. Grants/research support; AbbVie, Janssen, Lilly, MSD, Pfizer, Roche.

Comparison of Serum Concentrations of Ustekinumab Obtained by Three Commercial Assays in Patients with Crohn's Disease.

BackgroundData on the association of ustekinumab (UST) drug concentrations and clinical outcomes are conflicting. We assessed serum UST drug and anti-UST antibody concentrations using three commercially available assays.MethodsSixty-one blood samples were analyzed for serum UST drug and anti-UST antibody concentrations using three assays: one homogeneous mobility shift assay (HMSA, Prometheus, Assay A), and two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA; Progenika, Dynacare, Assay B and Theradiag, Assay C).ResultsThe median (IQR) serum UST concentrations for the three assays were: Assay A 7.50 (5.35 to 12.88) µg/mL, Assay B 4.02 (2.46 to 6.95) µg/mL and Assay C 4.35 (2.62 to 7.50) µg/mL. A Kruskal–Wallis test confirmed a statistically significant difference between the different assays, X2(2) = 30.606, p < 0.001. Linear regression showed near twofold increased difference in the absolute drug concentrations between the HMSA and either ELISA. Linear quantitative correlation was observed for all three assays (r = 0.836 for A versus B, r = 0.792 for A versus C, r = 0.936 for B versus C; p < 0.01). The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) between assay A and B was 0.649 (95% confidence interval [CI] −0.208 to 0.874); assay A and C was 0.671 (95% CI −0.165 to 0.878); and assay B and C was 0.958 (95% CI 0.928 to 0.975); p < 0.001. No anti-UST antibodies were detected.ConclusionA good correlation was observed for serum UST drug concentrations and a good agreement was observed between the ELISA tests. However, agreement was poor between the HMSA and each ELISA tests. Clinical recommendations regarding drug concentrations should be based on assay type used.

Persistence, Dose Titration, and Health Care Resource Utilization Among Crohn's Disease Patients Treated With Ustekinumab: A Real-World Analysis in the United States.

IntroductionCrohn’s disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract. This real-world study evaluated persistence, dose titration, health care resource utilization (HCRU) and associated costs, and medication use among CD patients treated with ustekinumab (UST) in several pooled US commercial database populations.MethodsCD patients aged ≥ 18 years with medical or pharmacy claims for UST were selected from pooled data from 3 large, national commercial databases. The first observed medical or pharmacy claim for UST was the index date. Patients were required to have had ≥ 1 medical claim with a CD diagnosis during the 12 months prior to the index date and continuous health plan enrollment for a minimum of 12 months prior to and 12 months after the index date. Comparisons of outcomes during the baseline and follow-up periods were conducted using inferential statistical tests.ResultsA total of 214 eligible UST patients were selected. The majority (74.8%) were biologic experienced (mean age: 41 years), and 83.6% remained treatment persistent during the 12-month post-index period. Among discontinuers, 25.7% restarted UST, and 8.6% switched from UST in the 12-month observation period. The mean treatment duration was 329 days. Most patients (77%) used the recommended UST dose, as defined as being within a 20% dose variation from label (90 mg/8 weeks ± 20%), 17.9% experienced dose escalation, and 5.1% experienced dose reduction. Post-index immunomodulator and corticosteroid use reduced by 20% and 28%, respectively, as compared with pre-index use among CD patients using UST. Annual all-cause ER visits and inpatient stays decreased by 20.5% and 30.3%, respectively, with similar downward trends for annual CD-related HCRU.ConclusionsThe majority of CD patients prescribed UST were biologic experienced, and persistence was high over the 1-year follow-up. UST treatment initiation was associated with reductions in ER visits, inpatient stays, and steroid and other medication use.Electronic Supplementary MaterialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s12325-020-01276-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Ustekinumab serum concentrations are associated with clinical outcomes in Crohn's disease - a regional multi-center pilot study.

The role of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in ustekinumab (UST) therapy for Crohn's disease (CD) has not been established, as only few studies have analyzed the relationship between UST serum concentrations and clinical outcome. In this pilot study, we retrospectively examined the potential of UST-concentrations (cUST) 8 weeks after induction (cUSTw8) to predict clinical response at week 16. Serum samples and clinical data from patients (n = 72) with moderate to severely active CD who received intravenous induction with UST were retrospectively analyzed. cUST were quantitated using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MSMS). A receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under ROC curve (AUROC) was computed to analyze the predictive potential of cUSTw8 for clinical response at week 16 and to determine the minimal therapeutic UST trough concentration. Forty-four patients (61 %) achieved clinical response to UST therapy at week 16. cUSTw8 was moderately effective to predict clinical response with a minimal therapeutic cUSTw8 of 2.0 mg/l (AUC 0.72, p = 0.001). Trough concentrations of UST 8 weeks after induction predict clinical response to therapy in week 16 with moderate sensitivity and specificity. TDM using LC-MSMS could prove beneficial in personalized UST therapy of patients with CD by identifying individuals with subtherapeutic concentrations who might benefit from dose escalation.

Concentration of the drug ustekinumab in the blood four weeks after injection, is linked to how well moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis responds to treatment

Concentration of the drug ustekinumab in the blood four weeks after injection, is linked to how well moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis responds to treatment

P447 No severe neonatal and maternal complications in inflammatory bowel diseases patients treated with ustekinumab or vedolizumab during pregnancy

Abstract Background Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) have a high incidence in the female population of childbearing age. Ustekinumab (UST) and vedolizumab (VDZ) are used in IBD after failure of immunosuppressants and//or anti-TNF therapy. Data on the use and safety of these novel biologics in pregnancy are rare. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study in the GETAID and identified female IBD patients who received at least one injection of UST or VDZ during pregnancy or within the 2 months before conception. The aims of the study were to assess the maternal and neonatal complications in these patients and to assess the management of VDZ or UST during pregnancy. Results Seventy-three pregnancies in 68 patients were reported in 21 centres. The median time between UST or VDZ introduction and pregnancy was 11.8 months (IQR: 5.2–17.6) and 10 months (IQR: 5.7–19.5), respectively. Twenty-nine pregnancies occurred in 27 patients on UST resulting in 26 (90%) live births, two (7%) spontaneous abortions, and one (3%) elective termination. Maternal complications were reported in two patients (gestational diabetes and threat of preterm birth). Five (19%) neonatal complications were reported (3 preterm deliveries, one low birth weight and one cardiac malformation). Six (21%) patients received UST in the 2 months before conception and stopped UST with a relapse in one patient (17%). UST was maintained during pregnancy in 22 (79%) patients: 13 patients discontinued UST in the first trimester with a relapse in 4 (31%) patients and 9 patients maintained UST during all pregnancy with a relapse in 3 (33%) patients. Forty-four pregnancies occurred under VDZ resulting in 38 (86%) live births, 5 (11%) spontaneous abortions and one (3%) medical interruption. Maternal complications were reported in 5 women (4 pre-eclampsia and one pregnancy cholestasis). Fourteen (37%) neonatal complications were reported: 7 (18%) premature births, 6 (16%) low birth weights and one (3%) congenital corpus callosum hypoplasia. Fifteen (34%) patients received VDZ in the 2 months before conception and discontinued VDZ with a relapse in 8 (53%) patients. VDZ was maintained during pregnancy in 29 (66%) patients: 16 patients discontinued VDZ in the 1st trimester with a relapse in 8 (50%) patients and 13 patients maintained VDZ during all the pregnancy with a relapse in one (8%) patient. Conclusion We reported 73 pregnancies under VDZ or UST. Except one cardiac malformation on UST and one congenital corpus callosum hypoplasia on VDZ, no serious neonatal or maternal complications were observed. However, additional prospective evaluations regarding pregnancy outcomes with new biologics are needed.

P559 Effect of vedolizumab and ustekinumab on articular manifestations in patients with inflammatory bowel disease refractory or intolerant to anti-TNF therapy: An observational prospective study

Abstract Background The effectiveness of vedolizumab (VDZ), a monoclonal antibody targeting the α4β7 integrin, and ustekinumab (UST), an anti-interleukin-12/anti-interleukin-23 antibody, for the treatment of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been demonstrated. Nearly 50% of patients with IBD have extraintestinal manifestation(s) (EIM). The most frequent are rheumatologic. In contrast to the data available for infliximab (IFX), only retrospective or small studies with contradictory results have been published regarding the effect of VDZ or UST on IBD-associated articular manifestations. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of VDZ and UST used in the treatment of Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis on associated articular manifestations, compared with patients receiving IFX. Methods We conducted a single-centre observational prospective study. All consecutive patients diagnosed with IBD and treated with IFX, VDZ or UST were included and classified into two groups: group 1, not presenting articular manifestations at the baseline, and group 2, having articular manifestations at the inclusion. We evaluated the occurrence of articular manifestations assessed by the BASDAI score in group 1 and the evolution of articular manifestations according to the BASDAI score in group 2. EIM activity was assessed at months 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12. Improvement or worsening of joint manifestations was considered significant if the BASDAI decreased or increased by 10 mm or 20 % in relative value between its initial value and its last available value (M12 or earlier for patients with shorter follow-up times). Results From September 2017 to April 2019, 54 patients were included. Twenty-nine patients were analysed in group 1: 9 treated with IFX, 8 with VDZ and 12 with UST. During the follow-up period, 12 (41.4 %) patients in group 1 without EIM at baseline developed articular manifestations: 44.4 %, 50 % and 33.3 % respectively under IFX, VDZ and UST. The mean time from treatment initiation to the development of articular symptoms was 3.3, 3.8 and 2.6 months, respectively on IFX, VDZ and UST. Twenty-five patients were analysed in group 2, 6 treated with IFX, 7 with VDZ and 12 with UST. A significant improvement of the BASDAI score was observed in 50 % of patients treated with IFX, 71.4 % with VDZ and 41.7 % with UST. BASDAI scores were 31.2, 51.8 and 27.9 at M0 and 31.0, 44.7 and 27.5 on average over the entire follow-up for the following treatments respectively: IFX, VDZ and UST. Conclusion This prospective study suggests a potential beneficial effect of VDZ and UST on articular manifestations associated with IBD compared with IFX. However, these results need to be confirmed by larger prospective trials.

P511 Association of ustekinumab serum concentrations and clinical outcomes: results from the mUST-DECIDE trial

Abstract Background Therapeutic drug monitoring is an important adjunct in optimising IBD management in patients treated with anti-TNF therapies. However, it remains unclear whether these principles apply to non-anti-TNF biologic therapies, such as the anti-IL12/23 agent, ustekinumab (UST). A follow-up analysis of the ‘mUST-DECIDE’ study explores the correlation between UST drug level and clinical outcomes. Methods 111 consecutive UST-treated adult CD patients across 11 sites in Canada from April 2017 to January 2018 were evaluated. Clinical decisions were recorded for all subjects at the single study visit and blood was drawn for TDM (Sanquin, radioimmunoassay). A retrospective chart review was completed in patients who had a follow-up visit ≥ 30 days after the baseline visit. Improved disease control (primary outcome) was defined as a composite assessment outcome meeting ≥ 1 disease control criterion (symptomatic, endoscopic/imaging, biochemical) without any of the non-response criteria (inadequate or loss of response, worsening of any disease control criteria, initiation of any CD-related medications and adverse events). Serum [UST] were categorised as therapeutic, subtherapeutic or uninterpretable based on their position in a 2 compartment PK model [subjects on Q8W dosing were assessed as per the log-linear model which projected a therapeutic level of ≥4.5 µg/ml at 4 weeks and ≥1.0 µg/ml at 8 weeks]. Results 53 patients had a clinical follow-up visit and an interpretable serum [UST]. Patients had refractory disease (89% anti-TNF-exposed, median 16.4 years since diagnosis), but clinically well (66% had baseline HBI &amp;lt;5) on treatment with UST for a median [IQR] of 16.5 [10.4–26.8] months. At baseline, the majority had serum [UST] in the therapeutic range (n = 44/53, 83%). After a median [IQR] of 148 [104–193] days, improved disease control was achieved by 51% of patients at next clinic visit. The outcome appeared independent of achieving therapeutic [UST] at baseline (OR[95% CI] = 0.80[0.19–3.38]). Dose-adjustment occurred in eight (15%) patients and improvements were observed in 75% of these patients. Subgroup analyses failed to detect clinical outcomes that were dependent on therapeutic serum [UST] (Table 1). No new safety signal was observed, no patient samples were positive for antibodies to UST. Conclusion The sub-study did not detect any association between routine serum [UST] and short-term clinical outcomes at the next patient visit. These data broadly suggests that the routine measurement of serum UST in CD patients does not aid in disease management, though further studies across different clinical scenarios (e.g. loss of response) are warranted.

P665 Which second-line biologic after anti-TNF failure during Crohn’s disease: Ustekinumab or vedolizumab, a multicentre retrospective study

Abstract Background Anti-TNF antibodies treatments are the only first-line reimbursed biologics for Crohn’s disease (CD) in several countries. Recently, Vedolizumab (VDZ) and Ustekinumab (UST) were added to the therapeutic armamentarium for CD refractory to a first anti-TNF antibody. However, studies comparing these two compounds remain unavailable. Our aim was to compare their efficacy in second-line treatment in CD after failure of one TNF antagonist. Methods All patients with CD refractory (primary or secondary non-responders) to first anti-TNF treatment and receiving UST or VDZ as a second biologic were included retrospectively in 10 French tertiary centres. The remission and clinical response were assessed at week 14. On the long-term, the cumulative probabilities of being in remission were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method and the associated factors using a Cox proportional risk model. The drug survival to assess efficacy as well as side effects was assessed by actuarial analysis. Results 88 patients were included, 50 (57%) females (mean age: 41 ± 15 years), 61 (69%) being treated with UST and 27 (31%) with VDZ. The first anti-TNF was discontinued for primary or secondary non-response in 66 (75%) patients and for side effects in 22 (25%) patients, without any difference between the anti-TNF antibody previously used. Among the 55 patients with endoscopic data at baseline, 55 (98%) had ulceration, a CRP above 5mg/l for 33/71 (46%) patients and a faecal calprotectin &amp;gt; 250 µg/g for the 12 patients tested. At week 14, no difference was observed for clinical response and clinical remission according to the type of treatment: the rate of clinical response and remission were 74% (UST)/58% (VDZ) (p = 0.20) and 33% (UST)/26% (VDZ) (p = 0.56), respectively. The only factor associated with short-term remission was the lack of optimisation prior to anti-TNF discontinuation (p = 0.038) regardless of the type of second-line therapy (UST, p = 0.02; VDZ, p = 0.03). After a mean follow-up of 67 weeks, the cumulative probabilities of being in remission at 6 and 12 months were 16% and 34% for UST and 25% and 44% for VDZ, respectively (p = 0.24 for UST vs. VDZ). The drug survival was higher in the UST group as compared with the VDZ group (HR (UST vs. VDZ) = 2.36 [1.02–5.5], p = 0.04). Conclusion Our preliminary results suggest that VDZ and UST have similar efficacy in the short- and long-term response when used as a second-line biologic therapy in CD refractory to a first anti-TNF antibody. These results will be complemented for the congress by the inclusion of additional patients recruited into this registry.

P654 Influence of the interval of time between anti-TNF and vedolizumab or ustekinumab in the response to treatment in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract Background There is no evidence about the time that it is reasonable to wait until starting Vedolizumab (VDZ) or Ustekinumab (UST) in case of loss of response to anti-TNF therapy. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether the time between the change from any anti-TNF drug to VDZ or UST had an influence on the risk of treatment failure and the rate of adverse events or severe infections. Methods A retrospective, observational single-centre study was designed. Inclusion criteria were all adult patients with moderate-to-severe IBD who started treatment with VDZ or UST due to loss of response to anti-TNF (Infliximab or Adalimumab). Exclusion criteria were patients who had received treatment for different indications such as prevention of recurrence or extra-intestinal manifestations. Patients that changed directly from VDZ to UST or from UST to VDZ were also excluded. We defined two groups of periods based on the interval of time between the last dose of anti-TNF and the first dose of VDZ or UST: Group A: early (≤30 days), Group B: late (31–60 days). Patients that had a waiting time of over 60 days were also excluded. Treatment failure after the initiation of VDZ or UST was defined as the need for dose intensification, surgical resection, therapy removal for ineffectiveness or adverse reaction. The existence of infections was also evaluated. Results are shown as percentages, median, range and Hazard Ratio (CI 95%). Fisher test and Cox Regression analysis were also performed. Results 46 patients (45.6% CD) were consecutively included (mean age 47.6 years). 17 had initially been treated with Infliximab and 29 with Adalimumab. Thirty patients were changed to VDZ and 16 to UST. Twenty-three patients were included in Group A and 23 in Group B. Treatment failure was observed in 20 patients: 9/23 in group A and 11/23 in group B with a mean follow-up of 323 days (range 152–432). The duration of the interval of time between stopping anti-TNF and starting VDZ or UST was not associated with increased risk of treatment failure (p = 0.25) with a median of time until loss of response of 252 days (range 98–432 days) in Group A and 168 days (range 131–418 days) in group B (Figure 1). No differences were found between patients with CD or UC (p = 0.23) and no differences were found in starting with VDZ or UST. There was 1 adverse event that forced a stopping of treatment in group A. No infections that required hospitalisation were observed. Conclusion The interval of time between anti-TNF and VDZ or UST had no influence on the rates of treatment failure, adverse events or infections in our cohort.

P469 Stay in class or switch out of class after anti-TNF failure in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Real-world data from a large district general hospital

Abstract Background Biosimilar infliximab (IFX) and adalimumab (ADA) are well-proven cost-effective anti-TNF drugs in IBD; in our practice, the majority of patients with IBD receive IFX or ADA first line. Since the introduction of Vedolizumab (VED) and Ustekinumab (UST) some have recommended switching out of class after failing a single anti-TNF. This practice has significant cost implications. To establish the outcome of treatment response in patients treated with a second anti-TNF agent after anti-TNF failure compared with the outcome of patients treated with VED and UST after anti-TNF failure. Methods We maintain a prospective IBD database. We searched our database for the outcomes of patients who failed their first anti-TNF drug but were in a clinical remission 6 months after changing to a second or third biologic drug. Disease type, age, gender and response to their second and third biologic drug were recorded. Clinical remission was defined as off steroids with calprotectin &amp;lt;250 and no symptoms of active IBD. Results Two hundred and eighty-seven patients were identified. One hundred and forty (48.8%) were male. Mean age was 43.2 (range 18–94). Disease type was 75 (26%) UC, 210 (73.2%) CD, 2 (0.7%) IBD-U. One hundred and ninety-three patients received IFX 1st line, 118 (40%) failed. Of these 84 (72%) received ADA, 28 (24%) VED and 6 (5%) UST second line. Remission with second-line treatment was achieved in 58 (69%); ADA, 18 (64%); VED, 6 (100%); UST. Remission with third line treatment; was achieved in 6 (100%); VED; 5 (100%); UST. Ninety-four patients received ADA 1st line, 33 (35%) failed. Of these 11 (33%) received IFX, 10 (30%) VED and 8 (24%) UST second line. Remission with second-line treatment was achieved in 6 (55%); IFX, 10 (100%); VED and 8 (100%); UST. Remission with third line treatment; was achieved in 1 (100%); VED, 4 (100%); UST. Conclusion Our data suggest that treatment with ADA after IFX failure is an effective treatment option whereas IFX treatment after ADA failure is less effective. It is interesting that the majority of those who failed the anti-integrin treatment second line responded to third line ADA. These data are consistent with earlier anti-TNF studies including GAIN (Gauging Adalimumab efficacy in Infliximab Non-responders) and SWITCH (Switch to adalimumab in patients with Crohn’s disease controlled by maintenance infliximab: prospective randomised SWITCH trial) which demonstrated that anti-TNF failure is not a class effect. We recommend prescribing a second anti-TNF after anti-TNF failure in preference to using an anti-integrin second line. This practice will lead to significant cost savings for the health care economy.

P601 Development and validation of dried blood spot sampling as a tool to identify the best time point to measure predictive ustekinumab serum concentrations in patients with Crohn’s disease

Abstract Background Therapeutic drug monitoring of ustekinumab (UST), a monoclonal antibody directed against the p40 subunit of IL12/23, can serve as a tool to identify underexposed Crohn’s disease (CD) patients, as UST concentrations have been linked to treatment response. Drug concentrations are most often measured when a patient is losing response. To reduce the risk of loss of response, drug concentrations could be measured upfront to predict the chance of achieving response later on and optimising treatment if necessary. Identification of the optimal time point to measure UST levels that have a predictive value for long-term outcome requires studies with multiple sampling. Dried blood spot (DBS) sampling allows convenient and remote collection of a blood drop through a small finger prick. The current study aimed to develop and validate the DBS method in order to identify the best time point to measure UST concentrations to predict long-term outcome in CD patients and explore the pharmacokinetic profile. Methods UST concentrations (0.2–80 μg/ml) were spiked in citrated whole blood and 40 μl was spotted onto protein saver cards. After punching a 6mm disc, DBS was extracted and the UST concentration was measured with an in-house developed MA-UST56A2D11/MA-UST56C1H12 ELISA. The extraction efficiency, accuracy, precision and the effect of anti-UST antibodies on UST detection were evaluated. Additionally, the effect of the spotted blood volume, the stability of the DBS card at room temperature (RT) and DBS extract at -20°C was examined. To evaluate the correlation between UST in DBS extracts and serum, DBS and serum were simultaneously collected from 8 UST-treated CD patients at two different time points. Results Spiking UST to citrated whole blood and subsequent spotting and extraction revealed an average extraction efficiency of 65 ± 9% (n = 11). The accuracy and imprecision of all concentrations tested were 92–109% and 11–18%, respectively. Addition of anti-UST antibodies to spiked UST samples caused a similar decrease in UST concentration in DBS extracts as in serum. Spotted blood volumes between 15 and 50 μl demonstrated similar recoveries. Storing the DBS card at RT for up to 2 weeks and DBS extract at -20°C for 2 months did not impair recovery. UST concentrations in DBS extracts (range: 0.55–12.1 μg/ml) from CD patients correlated strongly with those in serum (Pearson r = 0.982, p &amp;lt; 0.0001). Conclusion DBS is a robust method that facilitates multiple sampling for the determination of UST concentrations in CD patients. To explore the pharmacokinetic profile of UST and identify the best time point during induction to predict the long-term outcome, a prospective study in which multiple DBS are collected in active CD patients initiating UST is warranted.

DOP56 Ustekinumab maintained clinically meaningful improvement in health-related quality of life in patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis: Results from the UNIFI long-term extension

Abstract Background The UNIFI maintenance study evaluated the safety and efficacy of subcutaneous (SC) ustekinumab (UST) in patients with moderately–severely active UC who had responded to IV UST induction. Previously, we reported that health-related quality of life (HRQoL) improvements achieved after UST induction were maintained through Week 44 with UST maintenance. Here, we evaluated HRQoL through Week 92 in patients who continued UST maintenance in the long-term extension (LTE). Methods Patients who completed the maintenance study were eligible to continue their maintenance treatment regimen (placebo [PBO], UST90mg q12w, or UST90mg q8w) in the LTE if the investigator thought they could benefit from continued treatment. PBO patients discontinued from the LTE after the maintenance study was unblinded. Per investigator discretion, patients could receive a single dose adjustment (UST q12w to q8w or UST q8w to q8w [sham dose adjustment]) starting at Week 56. The Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ) is a 32-item questionnaire with a total score ranging from 32 to 224. Higher scores indicate better HRQoL, a score ≥170 indicates remission, and a change ≥16 was defined as clinically meaningful. General health was assessed using SF-36. A change ≥5 points in physical and mental component scores was defined as clinically meaningful. In this analysis, patients who dose adjusted were considered treatment failures. Results Most patients who received UST in the LTE maintained the improvements in IBDQ and SF-36 that were achieved after induction (Tables 1 and 2) through Week 92. Overall, 158 of 284 patients (55.6%) who received UST were in IBDQ remission at Week 92, and 114 of 169 patients (67.5%) who were in IBDQ remission at maintenance baseline were in IBDQ remission at Week 92. Of the 284 patients, 179 (63.0%) achieved a ≥16-point improvement in IBDQ score from induction baseline to Week 92. Of 250 patients who achieved a ≥16-point improvement from induction baseline to maintenance baseline, 154(61.6%) maintained a ≥16-point improvement at both Weeks 44 and 92. For SF-36, 142 of 284 patients (50.0%) had a ≥5-point improvement from induction baseline to Week 92 in the physical component score, while 128 of 284 (45.1%) had a ≥5-point improvement in the mental component score. Conclusion The majority of patients who were treated with UST in the LTE generally maintained improvements in IBDQ and SF-36 scores that were achieved after IV induction.

P629 Long-term effectiveness and safety of ustekinumab (UST) in patients with active Crohn’s disease (CD) in real life: Interim analysis of the SUSTAIN study

Abstract Background Post-marketing data are required to confirm the durability and the long-term benefit and safety of UST in CD in clinical practice. Our aims were: (1) to evaluate the retention rate of UST in CD patients and to identify predictive factors of UST discontinuation; (2) to assess UST short-term effectiveness; (3) to analyse the durability of the response to UST in the long-term; and (4) to evaluate the safety of UST in clinical practice. Methods Retrospective, multicentre study (&amp;gt;60 centres). Patients with active CD [(Harvey–Bradshaw (HBI) &amp;gt;4)] that received at least one dose of UST intravenously before July 2018 were included. Clinical activity plus biochemical parameters were assessed at every UST administration. Clinical remission was defined as HBI score ≤4, and clinical response as a decrease in HBI ≥3 points. Loss of efficacy was defined as reappearance of symptoms that led to intensify the treatment dose, add another medication to control CD, switching or surgery in patients with short-term remission. The retention rate of UST treatment and the cumulative incidence of loss of efficacy were evaluated by survival curves, and predictive factors were assessed by Cox-regression. The short-term response was evaluated at week 8 and after the induction (week 16). Factors associated with short-term remission were assessed by multivariate analysis. Adverse events were recorded. Data quality was assured by remote monitoring. Results 331 CD patients have been included up to date (Table 1). The incidence rate of UST discontinuation was 15% per patient-year of follow-up: 8%, 13% and 20% at 6, 12 and 18 months (Figure 1). Previous surgery was the only factor associated with a higher risk of UST discontinuation [Hazard ratio (HR) = 2.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.1–3.6]. Short-term efficacy is shown in Figure 2. Previous surgery (OR = 0.3, 95% CI = 0.2–0.6) and higher HBI score at baseline (OR = 0.8, 95% CI=0.8–0.9) were associated with an impaired response to UST at week 16. The cumulative incidence of loss of response was 32% per-patient-year of follow-up (Figure 3); A higher HBI score at baseline was associated with a higher risk of losing response (HR = 1.2, 95% CI = 1.1–1.3). Neither the concomitant treatment with immunosuppressants nor the number of previous biologics were associated with UST short- and long-term benefit. Thirty adverse events were reported in 25 (7%) patients (Table 2). Conclusion Sustain is the largest real clinical practice study of UST to treat CD patients with the longest follow-up reported to date. UST was demonstrated to be effective in real-world use in the short and long run. Safety was consistent with the known profile of UST.

P448 Dose adjustment in patients with moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis: results from the UNIFI maintenance study long-term extension

Abstract Background The UNIFI randomised-withdrawal maintenance study evaluated the safety and efficacy of subcutaneous (SC) ustekinumab (UST) in patients (patients) with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) who had responded to intravenous (IV) UST during induction. We evaluated the efficacy of UST dose adjustment during the long-term extension (LTE). Methods At Week (Week) 0 of the 44 weeks maintenance study, 523 patients who had responded to IV UST induction were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to placebo (PBO) SC, UST SC 90 mg q12w, or 90 mg q8w. Patients who completed the maintenance study were eligible to enter the LTE if the investigator thought they would benefit from continued treatment. PBO patients were discontinued from the LTE after the maintenance study was unblinded and the analysis was complete. Based on investigator’s clinical judgement of UC disease activity, patients in the LTE were eligible to receive dose adjustment starting at Week 56: PBO to q8w, q12w to q8w, and q8w to q8w (sham adjustment). PBO patients were only eligible for dose adjustment before unblinding. Patients were assessed for symptomatic remission (SR), partial Mayo scores, and inflammatory markers ≥16 weeks after dose adjustment. Results Symptomatic remission was maintained through Week 92 among patients treated with UST regardless of dose adjustment in the LTE (Figure). Overall, 40 (28.4%) and 37 (25.9%) patients in the q12w and q8w groups, respectively, underwent dose adjustment (or sham dose adjustment) prior to Week 92 of the LTE. Among patients who received dose adjustment at Week 76 or before and had data ≥16 weeks after dose adjustment, symptomatic remission was observed in 70.0% in the q12w-to-q8w group and 71.4% in the q8w-to-q8w group, the majority of whom were in symptomatic remission at the time of the dose adjustment (Table). The safety profile of UST in patients who received dose adjustment was generally consistent with the overall safety profile of UST. Conclusion Patients may benefit from UST dose adjustment to q8w. However, the majority of UST-treated patients were in SR at the time of dose adjustment in this study. No new safety signals were observed among patients who dose adjusted.

P346 Single-centre experience of ustekinumab: Therapeutic drug monitoring in Crohn’s disease patients

Abstract Background Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is a diagnostic tool in the monitoring of anti-TNF therapies. Yet, the benefit for TDM of new biologics such as ustekinumab (USK) is still controversial in real-world experiences. Methods This monocentric retrospective study aims to correlate USK trough levels (TLs) with clinical and endoscopic data. All patients have given written consent to the Biobank (B2011/005). Endoscopic disease was defined as quiescent in absence of endoscopic lesions, mild disease in presence of few superficial ulcerations, moderate in presence of several ulcers and severe in presence of numerous deep ulcers and/or inflammatory stenosis. 313 serum USK samples from 67 Crohn’s disease patients were used to measure USK TL (USK ELISA, apDia) while 88 samples (at week 16, and before and after optimisation) were used to measure anti-drug antibody (ADA), using a drug-tolerant affinity capture elution anti-ustekinumab assay Results Demographic and baseline data of our population are presented in Table 1. The median follow-up was 73 weeks (IQR 39–92). An optimisation due to loss of response was required in 44.8% of patients (n = 30) after a median time of 38 weeks (IQR 24–55). To evaluate the drug efficacy, an endoscopy was performed in 61% of cases at a median time of 35 weeks (IQR 27–47). TLs were 5.2 µg/ml (IQR 2.1–8.8), 1.7 µg/ml (IQR 0.3–4.3) and 2.6 µg/ml (IQR 0.6–4.1) at week 8, 16 and 24, respectively. TLs at week 8 were correlated to the induction IV dose administrated (r = 0.3, p = 0.03). At week 16, low TLs were associated with higher endoscopic activity in the follow-up (p = 0.02), although this was not the case at week 8 (p = 0.5) (Figure 1). Patients not requiring an optimisation had higher TLs in maintenance than patients requiring optimisation (2.45 µg/ml (IQR 1.3–4.4) vs. 1.15 µg/ml (IQR 0.1–2.24), p = 0.008). Obviously, optimisation significantly increased TLs (1.15 µg/ml (IQR 0.1–2.24) vs. 6.6 µg/ml (IQR 2.3–11.3), p &amp;lt; 0.001). ADA were undetectable in all the measured samples in maintenance. Conclusion This real-world experience confirms a drug exposure-endoscopic response relationship. Week 16 seems to be an appropriate time point to monitor drug exposure. Earlier USK TLs, at week 8, appear less valuable to be monitored due to the influence of initial IV dose. The absence of immunogenicity suggests that it is not a key driver in the loss of response.

P361 The effect of immunomodulators and other factors on the persistence of biological agents for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis: data from the Australian population-based registry

Abstract Background Treatment persistence (duration of medication use) provides real-world evidence on therapeutic effectiveness, tolerability and prescriber and patient preferences. Biological agent persistence in Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) was compared from a national population-based registry with no hierarchical prescribing order. We hypothesised immunotherapy co-therapy would increase persistence for anti-TNF agents, but not for non-anti-TNF agents due to reduced immunogenicity. Methods A randomly selected ten per cent subgroup of the prospectively collected population-based registry from the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme between June 2005 and June 2019 was analysed. Treatment persistence of adalimumab (ADA), infliximab (IFX), vedolizumab (VDZ) and ustekinumab (UST) was compared. Factors affecting discontinuation were evaluated using multivariate proportional hazard regression. Results 886 patients consisting of 1294 lines of therapy (992 CD, 302 UC, 2778 person-years of follow-up) were included. In CD, UST had the highest overall persistence rate (median persistence rate was &amp;gt; 74.6% where 24.6 months is the maximum follow-up time recorded), followed by VDZ, IFX and ADA (p = 0.03) (Figure 1). UST had the highest persistence as first, second and third-line therapies (p &amp;lt; 0.05). In UC, VDZ had the highest persistence rate (median persistence rate was &amp;gt;50.3% where 47.4 months is the maximum follow-up time recorded), followed by IFX and ADA (p &amp;lt; 0.001) (Figure 2). VDZ had the highest persistence rates as first-line therapy (p &amp;lt; 0.001), while second and third-line therapies did not demonstrate significant differences. Persistence of biological agents correlated with immunomodulator co-therapy in CD (R2: 0.65 p &amp;lt; 0.001) and UC (R2: 0.50 p &amp;lt; 0.001). Thiopurine co-therapy significantly increased persistence for IFX and ADA in CD and UC (p &amp;lt; 0.001) (Figures 3 and 4) but was not significant for UST and VDZ. Methotrexate decreased persistence for VDZ in UC and had no effects on UST, IFX and ADA in UC and CD. In acute-severe UC, there were no significant differences between IFX as monotherapy vs. co-therapy. On multivariate analysis, higher persistence was seen in males (HR: 0.75 95% CI: 0.59–0.94) and with immunomodulator co-therapy (HR 0.77 95% CI: 0.61–0.97, p = 0.03). Conclusion This real-world data reflecting treatment effectiveness, tolerability and patient and prescriber preferences supports the use of UST and VDZ over anti-TNF agents in CD and UC, respectively, to achieve high treatment persistence which is independent of immunomodulator co-therapy, possibly secondary to differing immunogenicity rates. It also highlights the substantial increase in anti-TNF therapy persistence with thiopurine co-therapy, but not with methotrexate.

P451 Short-and long-term effectiveness of ustekinumab in patients with Crohn’s disease: real-world data from a German IBD cohort

Abstract Background The IL-12/23 inhibitor ustekinumab (UST) opened up new treatment options for patients with Crohn’s disease (CD). Due to the recent approval, Real-World German data on long-term efficacy and safety are lacking. This study aimed to assess the clinical course of CD patients under UST therapy and to identify potential predictive markers. Methods Patients with CD receiving UST treatment in three hospitals and two outpatient centres were included and retrospectively analysed. Rates for short- and long-term remission and response were analysed with the help of clinical (Harvey–Bradshaw Index [HBI]) and biochemical (C-reactive protein [CRP], faecal calprotectin [fCal]) parameters for disease activity. Results Data from 180 patients were evaluated. One hundred six patients had a follow-up of at least 8 weeks and were included. 96.2% of the patients were pre-exposed to anti- TNFα agents and 34.4% to both anti-TNFα and anti-integrin. The median follow-up was 49.1 weeks (95% CI 42.03–56.25). At week 8, 51 patients (54.8%) showed response to UST, and 24 (24.7%) were in remission. At week 48, 39 (41.9%) responded to UST, and 20 patients (21.5%) were in remission. Steroid-free response and remission at week eight were achieved by 30.1%, and 19.3% of patients. At week 48, 26.9% showed steroid-free response to UST, and 15.1% of the initial patient population was in steroid-free remission. Clinical response at week 16 was independently associated with remission at week 48. Conclusion Our study confirms short- and long-term UST effectiveness and tolerability in a cohort of multi-treatment exposed patients.

DOP13 Clinical and endoscopic response to ustekinumab in Crohn’s disease: Week 16 interim analysis of the STARDUST trial

Abstract Background Treat-to-target (T2T) strategy may optimise IBD disease management. We describe interim clinical and endoscopic results of the STARDUST trial in Crohn’s disease (CD) patients, following 16 weeks (W) of ustekinumab (UST) induction. Methods STARDUST, an ongoing phase 3b randomised strategy trial, enrolled adults with moderate–severely active CD (CD activity index [CDAI] 220–450) and simple endoscopic index for CD [SES-CD] ≥3) who failed conventional therapy ±1 biologic. At W0, patients received intravenous, weight-based UST of ~6mg/kg (approved label) and at W8, subcutaneous UST 90mg. At W16, patients with CDAI reduction ≥70 points were randomised (1:1) to T2T or standard of care. Key endpoints (intention-to-treat [ITT] set, as observed) were analysed at W8 and W16: % patients in clinical remission (CDAI score &amp;lt;150); % patients with a clinical response (CDAI &amp;lt;150 or decrease vs. baseline [BL] ≥100 points); faecal calprotectin (FCal) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels: normalisation of FCal or/and CRP; improvement ≥50% vs. BL (patients with elevated FCal and CRP subpopulations); change vs. BL in CDAI and Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ) total scores. Patients randomised to T2T underwent colonoscopy at W16 and were analysed for change in SES-CD score vs. BL, endoscopic response (decrease in SES-CD score ≥50% vs. BL) and endoscopic remission (SES-CD score ≤2) (central reading). Results The ITT full set included 500 patients with BL mean (SD) CDAI score 282.3 (65.8), SES-CD 13.1 (8.1), CRP 15.7 (23.4) mg/l, FCal 1741.9 (2932.1) mg/g and disease duration 9.4 (8.7) years; 58.4% previously failed 1 biologic. At W16, 79.4% of patients had a clinical response and 66.6% were in clinical remission. About half of the patients showed ≥50% improvement in FCal and CRP levels, which normalised in about 1/3 of patients. Results were similar irrespective of previous biologic (Table 1); 84% of patients in response at W16 were in clinical remission. Statistically significant changes from BL in CDAI, FCal, and CRP were observed at W8, and in IBDQ scores at W16 (Table 2). In the T2T set (n = 220; CDAI 70 responders), BL characteristics were similar to the full analysis set; SES-CD score was 13.4 (8.8). At W16, 36.8% and 11.4% of patients in the T2T set achieved endoscopic response and remission, respectively. The endoscopic response was independent of BL SES-CD score and disease duration, but numerically better for colonic vs. ileal disease. No new safety signals were reported. Conclusion STARDUST is the first T2T trial in CD patients. After 16 W following induction with UST, 2/3 of patients achieved clinical remission. Thirty-seven per cent of those randomised to the T2T arm (CDAI 70 responders) showed endoscopic response by central reading at W16. Results were similar irrespective of being bio-naïve or failing 1 biologic.