common errors in the treatment of ibd: case studies gary r. lichtenstein, md david t. rubin, md
TRANSCRIPT
Common Errors in the Treatment of IBD: Case Studies
Gary R. Lichtenstein, MDDavid T. Rubin, MD
Gary Lichtenstein, MDDisclosures
Research, Advisory, and/or Honorarium
Some Common Errors in IBD Management1. Delay in diagnosis! This is not usually a gastroenterologist’s error.2. Steroids as initial therapy for mild to moderate UC- trust the
evidence!3. Using anti-TNF therapy as mono therapy- concomitant is favored
for most patients at least for induction.4. Avoiding surgery when it is needed. 5. Under dosing therapies:
– 5-ASA – focus on delivery– Thiopurines – understand metabolism and shunters– TNF – in some patients (maybe less than we would like to think)
6. Not vaccinating 7. Ignoring vitamin D8. Relying on “crisis management” rather than proactive monitoring
and control9. Dismissing patient interests in diet or complementary therapies
rather than working with them 10. Not referring to mental health professionals
Why Do Patients With IBD Not Respond To Their Medications?
Primary Nonresponse• Drug/mechanism just doesn’t work• Wrong diagnosis
– Infection– Ischemia– Crohn’s disease
• Wrong dose– Not enough– Too much?– pK issues
• Wrong delivery– Rationale
• Allergy/intolerance
Secondary Nonresponse• Change in dose (by you)• Change in delivery• Change in physiology
– Does disease changeover time?
• Intentional nonadherence– Episodic dosing strategy– Denial– Fear of therapy
• Unintentional nonadherence– Can’t afford medication– Inconvenient dosing regimen
Patient Case 1
Diagnostic Evaluation
• Female, age 23 yr; well until 5 mo ago
• Symptoms– Pain– Diarrhea (4–6 loose
stools/day)– 5-lb weight loss
• Physical examination– Tender RLQ– No mass
• Social History– Cigs: 1ppd x 5 yrs
• Laboratory values– WBC: 4,500 cells/µL– Hgb: 10.5 g/dL– CRP: 5.5 mg/dL– Albumin: 3.5 g/dL
• Colonoscopy– Terminal ileum and cecum with
numerous aphthous ulcerations– Biopsies c/w Crohn’s
• SBFT– Mild bowel-wall thickening with
slight narrowing in terminal ileum only
CRP = C-reactive protein; RLQ = right lower quadrant.
Initial Treatment• Diagnosis
– Mild-to-moderate ileocecal CD• Treatment goals
– Induce rapid, complete remission– Minimize the potential for side effects
• Treatment prescribed– Mesalamine 1.2 g TID
• Response– No clinical improvement after 3 weeks
Mesalamine is not FDA approved for the treatment of Crohn’s disease in the United States.
• What is the most appropriate treatment option in this patient ?
1. Continue mesalamine at a higher dose
2. Change to another 5-ASA derivative
3. Add a systemic corticosteroid –prednisone 40 mg orally daily
4. Switch to EC budesonide at 9 mg a day
Induction Nonresponder
Treatment Options for Mild - Moderate Crohn’s Disease
Step-Up according to severity at presentation or failure at prior step
AminosalicylateBudesonide
Corticosteroid
Anti-TNF
Disease Severity at Presentation
Severe
Moderate
Mild
Natalizumab
Thiopurine/MTX
AminosalicylateBudesonide/Thiopurine
Anti-TNF+/- Thiopurine/MTX
Induction
Maintenance
Sequential Therapies for Crohn’s Disease
Mild Moderate SevereAminosalicylates TNF antagonists
(IFX, ADA, CZP)Parental
CorticosteroidsAntibiotics Oral
Corticosteroids Bowel Rest
NatalizumabLocally Active Oral
CorticosteroidsAntimetabolites
(AZA,6-MP, MTX)Surgery
Conventional CD Therapy is Sequential
Treatment of IBD
I. Establish the Correct Diagnosis, Severity of Disease & Extent of Disease
Ulcerative Colitis versus Crohn’s Disease
Disease Distribution Severity of Disease
ACG GuidelinesDetermining Severity of Crohn’s Disease
Lichtenstein GR, Hanauer SB, Sandborn WJ. Am J Gastroenterol . 2009; 104(2):465-83 .
Mild to Moderate
Ambulatory without toxicity, no abdominal tenderness, painful mass, or obstruction
Moderate to Severe
Unresponsive to treatment for mild-to-moderate stage or with prominent fever, weight loss, anemia, abdominal pain and tenderness, or intermittent nausea or vomiting
Severe to Fulminant
Persistent symptoms on corticosteroids or with high fever, rebound tenderness, cachexia, or abscess
Remission
Asymptomatic, no inflammatory sequelae, responsive to medication or surgery, or not requiring systemic corticosteroids
Mesalamine Delivery Systems
MesalamineControlled-release Capsules
(Pentasa)
5-ASA 5-ASAN=N5-ASAN N
N=N
Sulfasalazine(Azulfidine)
NHSO2
Sulfapyridine
COOH
CH
Olsalazine(Dipentum)
5-ASA 5-ASA
Balsalazide Disodium Capsules
(Colazal)
(ABA)inert
carrier
NaOOC
OH
EthylcelluloseMicrospheres
Eudragit S/L
5-ASA
MMX technology
MesalamineGastro-resistant/pH
(Lialda)
MesalamineDelayed-release Capsules
(Asacol)
MesalamineGranulated formulation
(Apriso)
MesalamineRectal suspension
enema / suppository (Rowasa, Canasa)
5-ASA
5-ASA
NCCDS: Response to Therapy for Active Crohn’s Disease
NCCDS, National Cooperative Crohn’s Disease Study.Summers RW et al. Gastroenterology 1979;77:847-869
PatientsPatients(%)(%)
Weeks after RandomizationWeeks after Randomization00 55 1010 1515
Sulfasalazine 1 g/15 kg (5 g)Sulfasalazine 1 g/15 kg (5 g)
PlaceboPlacebo
6060
5050
4040
3030
2020
1010
00
7070
13%13%
Meta-Analysis: Mesalaminein Active Crohn’s Disease
P=0.005P=0.005
P=0.7P=0.7 P=0.5P=0.5
P=0.04P=0.04
Hanauer, Stromberg. Clinical Gastroenterology & Hepatology 2004
P=0.005P=0.005
P=0.7P=0.7
P=0.05P=0.05P=0.04P=0.04
-80
-70
-60
-50
-40
-30
-20
-10
0
Crohn's I
n=155
Crohn’s II
n=150
Crohn's III
n=310
Overall
n=615
Ch
an
ge
fro
m b
as
eli
ne
in
CD
AI
sc
ore
Pentasa® 4 g Placebo
-60
-50
-40
-30
-20
-10
0
Crohn's I
n=155
Crohn's II
n=150
Crohn's III
n=310
Overall
n=615
Pentasa® 4 g minus Placebo
Role of Antibiotics in Crohn’s Disease
• Widespread use despite insufficient evidence– Inadequate data for metronidazole and
ciprofloxacin as first-line therapy• May be useful in the management of
– Complications– Perianal disease– Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth– Postoperative prophylaxis
• Little, if any, effect on small bowel disease• Potential for resistance and selective overgrowth
and Clostridium Difficile infection
Steroid Dependent
28%(n = 21)
Prolonged Response
32%(n = 24)
Surgery 38%
(n = 28)
Corticosteroid Therapy for Crohn’s Disease
Immediate Outcome*(n = 74)
1-YearOutcome(n = 74)
Complete Remission
58%(n = 43)
PartialRemission
26%(n = 19)
NoResponse
16%(n = 12)
*30 days after initiating corticosteroid therapy.
Faubion W, et al. Gastroenterology. 2001;121:225-260.
Budesonide in Active Ileal/Right Colonic Crohn’s Disease
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
53%
66%
51%
20%
62%
36%
10 Weeks1 16 Weeks38 Weeks2
Pat
ien
ts i
n R
emis
sio
n (
%)
CIR = controlled ileal release. *Mesalamine controlled-release capsules (Pentasa).
1. Rutgeerts P, et al. N Engl J Med. 1994;331:842-845. 2. Greenberg GR, et al. N Engl J Med. 1994;331:836-841. 3. Thomsen OO, et al. N Engl J Med. 1998;339:370-374.
PlaceboPrednisolone 40 mg
Mesalamine* 4 gBudesonide CIR 9 mg
Corticosteroids in Crohn’s disease
• Budesonide is first-line therapy for mild-moderate ileal or right colon disease– Maintenance therapy?
• Systemic steroids for moderate-severe disease
• High risk of steroid-dependence• Greatest risk of long-term side effects
– AGA Quality guidance• Attempt steroid weaning• Monitor for osteoporosis
Change of Therapy• Treatment
– EC budesonide 9 mg QD for 8 weeks• Outcome
– Remission attained at 5 weeks– Hgb: 11.2 g/dL– Mild facial acne– EC Budesonide successfully tapered to complete
cessation after 8 weeks• Plan
– Watchful waiting
Followup
• Followup – 2 weeks after cessation of EC Budesonide
symptomatic recurrence is noted– 6 BM / day with RLQ abdominal pain – Perianal drainage from a small fistula was noted
• Labs:– WBC- 13.0 x 109 / L– Hgb: 8.7 g/dL– ESR- 45 mm/hr– CRP - 22 mg/L
Recommendations
• Which of the following are appropriate at this time
1.) MRI enterography2.) CT enterography3.) Stool for C diff4.) Ask patient to stop smoking5.) 1 and 46.) 1, 3 and 4
Refractory IBD
• Establish the Correct Diagnosis, Severity of Disease & Extent of Disease
• Evaluate for Disease Complications • Evaluate for Enteric Infections• Use Optimal Medication Doses• Miscellaneous
• NonAdherence• Paradoxical Responses• NSAIDs• Cigarettes
Disease Complications
Abdominal / Pelvic Abscess CT abdomen and pelvis with oral and iv
contrast MRI pelvis with gadolinium
Mesenteric Venous Thrombosis CT abdomen and pelvis with oral and iv
contrast MRI pelvis with gadolinium
Enteric Infections
Bacterial Infections
CMV
Clostridium Difficile
Parasitic Diseases
“Pseudointractibility” of IBD
• CMV
• Clostridium Difficile
• NSAIDs
• Cigarette • Cessation in UC• Use in CD
MRI Enterography: Active Crohn’s Disease
T2 and Post-gad images demonstrating marked thickening and enhancement of TI. Note elevated T2 signal within and adjacent to TI (arrows) indicating active disease.
Followup
• Followup – Therapy was initiated with infliximab 5 mg /kg at 0,2,
and 6 weeks the every 8 weeks and also AZA 2.5 mg/kg was given (TPMT enzyme activity was normal).
– Oral Iron was given (Ferritin checked was 10 ng/mL).– Within a period of 3 months symptomatic remission
was noted.– Hgb - 11.0 grams– WBC- 9.9 g/dL– ESR- 12 mm/hr– CRP - 3.8 mg/L
CASE 2: The Patient Failing Thiopurine Therapy
Two Brothers with Ulcerative Colitis
• Patient #1: 18 yo with pancolitis, steroid responsive but steroid dependent. – TPMT normal– 6-MP started at 1.5 mg/kg– Unable to wean steroids below 15 mg
• Patient #2: 15 yo brother of patient #1, ulcerative proctitis, steroid resistant– TPMT normal– 6-MP started at 1.5 mg/kg– Not responding
Metabolism of Azathioprine and 6-Mercaptopurine
Azathioprine
6-Methyl-mercaptopurine
6-Mercaptopurine Thioinosinicacid
6-Thioguaininenucleotides
6-Thiouricacid
TPMT
HPRT
XO
Chan GL et al. J Clin Pharmacol. 1990;30:358.
Association Between Clinical Response andBoth 6-TGN and Intermediate Activity TPMT Genotype in
Pediatric Patients With IBD
Therapeutic Efficacy
Frequency of 6-TG level >235 (pmol/8 × 108 RBC) (%)
6-TG Quartiles
Frequency of response (pmol/8 × 108 RBC) (%)
41%
78%
Dubinsky MC et al. Gastroenterology 2000;118:705.
0
20
40
60
80
100
0–173 174–235 236–367 368–1,203
65
27
0
20
40
60
80
100
Response Failure
n=44 n=42 n=43 n=44
Freq
uenc
y of
Res
pons
e
Freq
uenc
y of
6-T
G le
vel
The Patient not Responding to Thiopurine• Confirm adherence, consider metabolites:
6-TG 6-MMP Possible cause Recommendation
undetectable undetectable Non-adherentorunderdosed
Understand why pt not taking med orincrease dose
Dubinsky. Curr Gastroenterol Rep. 2003;5(6):506-11.
The Patient not Responding to Thiopurine• Confirm adherence, consider metabolites:
6-TG 6-MMP Possible cause Recommendation
undetectable undetectable Non-adherentorunderdosed
Understand why pt not taking med orincrease dose
Low (<230) Low or undetectable
Non-adherent or underdosed
Discuss adherence, increase dose
Dubinsky. Curr Gastroenterol Rep. 2003;5(6):506-11.
The Patient not Responding to Thiopurine• Confirm adherence, consider metabolites:
6-TG 6-MMP Possible cause Recommendation
undetectable undetectable Non-adherentorunderdosed
Understand why pt not taking med orincrease dose
Low (<230) Low or undetectable
Non-adherent or underdosed
Discuss adherence, increase dose
Low (<230) High (>5700) 6-MMP shunter 1. Increase thiopurine, or
2. Consider allopurinol, or
3. Switch agents
Dubinsky. Curr Gastroenterol Rep. 2003;5(6):506-11.
The Patient not Responding to Thiopurine• Confirm adherence, consider metabolites:
6-TG 6-MMP Possible cause Recommendation
undetectable undetectable Non-adherentorunderdosed
Understand why pt not taking med orincrease dose
Low (<230) Low or undetectable
Non-adherent or underdosed
Discuss adherence, increase dose
Low (<230) High (>5700) 6-MMP shunter 1. Increase thiopurine, or
2. Consider allopurinol, or
3. Switch agents
“Therapeutic” (>230-<400) orHigh (>400)
Normal range or high
Primary non-responder
1. Assess disease2. Switch to different
mechanism
Dubinsky. Curr Gastroenterol Rep. 2003;5(6):506-11.
Brothers with Shunting
6-MP monotherapy
Pt TPMT 6-TGN 6-MMP ALT
1 23.0 137 13,477 114
2 19.7 301 12,796 141
The Patient not Responding to Thiopurine• Confirm adherence, consider metabolites:
6-TG 6-MMP Possible cause Recommendation
undetectable undetectable Non-adherentorunderdosed
Understand why pt not taking med orincrease dose
Low (<230) Low or undetectable
Non-adherent or underdosed
Discuss adherence, increase dose
Low (<230) High (>5700) 6-MMP shunter 1. Increase thiopurine, or
2. Consider allopurinol, or
3. Switch agents
“Therapeutic” (>230-<400) orHigh (>400)
Normal range or high
Primary non-responder
1. Assess disease2. Switch to different
mechanism
Dubinsky. Curr Gastroenterol Rep. 2003;5(6):506-11.
Practical Approach to Allopurinol and Thiopurine Combination Therapy
• Not for everyone! Be aware of safety concerns.• Choose patient (and MD) wisely:
– Active disease– Adherence with thiopurines– Subtherapeutic 6-TGn, supratherapeutic 6-MMP– Elevated LFTs or nausea may be present but not necessary
to consider this approach• Drop thiopurine to 25 mg (6-MP) or 50 mg (AZA)• Allopurinol 100 mg• Notify pharmacist!• CBC weekly for one month, then monthly…• Metabolites at week 3• Dose adjustment if necessary but in small increments
Govani and Higgins. J Crohns Colitis 2010;4(4):444-9.Sparrow, et al. J Crohns Colitis 2009;3(3):162-7.
Brothers with Shunting
Both patients responded quickly (within 2-3 weeks), have been in stable steroid-free remission for >2 years.
6-MP monotherapy 6-MP/allopurinol
Pt TPMT 6-TGN 6-MMP ALT 6-TGN 6-MMP ALT
1 23.0 137 13,477 114 422 -- 21
2 19.7 301 12,796 141 351 -- 25
• 21 year old male with a 4 year history of extensive small bowel CD treated with infliximab for the past 3 years presents with increasing cramping abdominal pain, 12 pound weight loss and diarrhea
• No recent travel or antibiotics• No previous abdominal surgery• SH: Does not smoke • FH: No FH of IBD• On infliximab 10mg/kg q 6 wk
Case 3
• PE shows a well appearing male in NAD with fullness in the RLQ
• Stool samples for enteric pathogens and C. diff negative
• MRE- 5cm segment of small bowel disease with small bowel dilation proximal to the area of involvement but w/o inflammation
• IFX level (trough: 9.0 mcg/ml)• ATI negative• LABS:
WBC – 8.6 KHgb – 12Ptlt- 334 KCRP- 3.3 (Normal < 4 mg/dl)
Case 3
Please choose the best management strategy1.Increase infliximab2.Add an antimetabolite (AZA/6MP/MTX) and continue infliximab3.Switch to adalimumab or certolizumab4.Switch to natalizumab5.Continue infliximab but evaluate for small bowel intestinal overgrowth, irritable bowel syndrome and consider surgical options6.Send for ileocecectomy
Case 3
ENT06169 10/07
Factors that Influence the PK of TNF Antagonists
Impact on TNF antagonist PK
Presence of ADAs Decreases drug concentration Increases clearanceWorse clinical outcomes
Concomitant use of immunosuppressives
Reduces ADA formationIncreases drug concentrationDecreases drug clearanceBetter clinical outcomes
Low serum albumin concentration Increases drug clearanceWorse clinical outcome
High baseline CRP concentration Increase drug clearance
High baseline TNF concentration May decrease drug concentration by increasing clearance
High body size May increase drug clearance
Sex Males have higher clearance
Ordas I et. al. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2012; 10:1079-1087.
ENT06169 10/07
Clinical Outcomes of Patients With Detectable Human Anti-Chimeric Antibodies or Subtherapeutic
IFX Concentrations
Response to testComplete/partial
response (%)P value
Detectable HACA Increase IFX 1/6 (17) <0.004
Change anti-TNF 11/12 (92)
Subtherapeutic concentrations
Increase IFX 25/29 (86) <0.016
Change anti-TNF 2/6 (33)
Afif W, et al. Am J Gastroenterol. 2010; 105:1133-1139.
HACA and IFX concentration testing impacted treatment decisions in 73% of patients and were a useful adjunct to clinical and
endoscopic/radiologic assessment
Aim• Examine the utility of measuring HACA and IFX concentrations and compare subsequent clinical management and response
• Therapeutic infliximab trough level (7 μg/mL) and short segment of fixed non-inflammatory disease
• Send to surgery and laparoscopic ileocecectomy performed
• Treated postop with metronidazole 500mg po bid for 3 months as well as 6MP
• Doing well 10 months postop with colonoscopy demonstrating 2 isolated aphthous erosions in the neoterminal ileum
Followup: Case 3
P<0.001P<0.001
P = ns
Vermeire et al. Gut 2007;56;1226-1231
• “an IFX level of <4 μg/ml measured 4 weeks after the first infusion had a PPV of 81% to detect the development of high ATIs during the later course of treatment”
• “an IFX level of >15 μg/ml measured 4 weeks after the first infusion was 80% predictive for the absence of ATIs during later follow-up.”
Week 4 serum level and subsequent ATI titre
“Therefore, IFX levels measured early after the first infusion of IFX (at 4 weeks) are a good prognostic parameter for development of immunogenicity.”
Drug Levels Predict Immunogenicity: Serum IFX at Week 4 After an Infusion Predicts Eventual
Appearance of ATI’s in Episodic Dosing
Patients With Sustained ATI Associated With LOR
Vande Casteele N, et al. Am J Gastroenterol. 2013. DOI:10.1038/ajg.2013.12.
P<0.001
Time to IFX Discontinuation Due to LOR
Vande Casteele N, et al. Am J Gastroenterol. 2013. DOI:10.1038/ajg.2013.12.
Log-rank P=0.006
Transient ATI (n=12)
Sustained ATI (n=35)
Years of IFX follow-up
AAA Formation Lowers Adalimumab Trough Serum Levels
• 92% of the patients with a trough serum concentration measured below the threshold for detection were positive for AAA
Med
ian
AD
A T
R
(μg
/mL
)
0
2
6
8
12
42.1
(n=9)
Week 4
10
6.1(n=58)
0.6(n=8)
8.9(n=53)
Week 12
0.1(n=8)
Week 24
8.8(n=37)
0.02(n=3)
11.1(n=46)
Week 54
0.05(n=10)
5.8(n=30)
TherapyDiscontinuation
AAA (+)AAA (-)
Reprinted from Gastroenterology 137(5), Karminis K, et al. Influence of trough serum levels and immunogenicity on long-term outcome of adalimumab therapy in
Crohn's disease, 1628-1640. Copyright 2009, with permission the AGA Institute.
Proposed Treatment Algorithm in the Setting of Loss of Response
Ordas I et. al. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2012; 10:1079-1087.
High titers
Low titers
De-escalation
Change drug class
(no benefit from dose
escalation)
Drug escalation
Switch within class
HighClearance
Drug escalation or switch
ImpactClearance
SwitchHighClearance
Drug escalation or switch
ImpactClearance
High titers
Low titers
Subtherapeutic
Therapeutic
Subtherapeutic & normal CRP
Negative & ADAs (+)
Positive
Drug
ADAs
LOR
Can Antibodies to Biologic Therapies Be Overcome?
• 5 patients with loss of response to infliximab, undetectable infliximab trough levels, and positive antibodies to infliximab on 2 occasions
• Antimetabolite therapy added without changing dose of infliximab– Methotrexate (2); Thiopurine (3)
• ATI titer decreased and trough IFX levels rose over 1-5 months
• Clinical response reestablished
Ben-Horin S. CGH 2013;11:444-7
Conclusion
• Reactive Therapeutic Drug Monitoring effective for optimization of AntiTNF therapy in NonResponders
• Most data studied with Infliximab- but likely applies to other antiTNF agents– Adalimumab– Certolizumab Pegol
• Future prospective trial needed to define Proactive Drug monitoring
CASE 4
• 24 year old woman with newly diagnosed Crohn’s disease of the colon, ileum and perianal skin tags with a small simple fistula– Anemic– Elevated CRP
• Treated with infliximab and azathioprine• Excellent response and clinical remission• Laboratory values return to normal
CASE 4 - continued
• After 6 months of continuous therapy, requests to stop azathioprine
• 6 weeks later, has blood per rectum, loose stools
• Steroids started
• Infliximab given early at higher dose
• No improvement
CASE 4 - continued
• What happened here?
• Colonoscopy performed: – complete mucosal healing– Small irritated skin tag with friability– Fistula not draining
CASE 4 – continued - oops
• 4 months later
• Diarrhea, frank hematochezia– Anemic– CRP elevated again
• C. diff negative
• Therapeutic assessment– Infliximab level elevated (16 ug/ml)– No antibodies to infliximab
Interpretation of Infliximab Levels and Antibodies to Infliximab in a Patient Losing Response
Infliximab Level Antibodies to Infliximab
Treatment recommendation
Elevated Absent Switch treatment mechanism
Elevated Present Unclear, consider switching to another
TNF-inhibitorNot elevated Absent Adjust dose, interval of
infliximabNot elevated Present Switch to another
TNF-inhibitor
Afif, et al. Am J Gastroenterol. 2010 ;105(5):1133-9.
Switching Between TNF Inhibitors: Rheumatoid Arthritis Experience
• Response to a second inhibitor is lower relative to first 1
• Response to a second inhibitor will be comparable if initial discontinuation was due to adverse events 1, 2
• Patients who do not respond to 2 TNF inhibitors are not likely to respond to a third 2
1. Gomez-Reino et al. Arthritis Research & Therapy. 2006;8:R292. Solau-Gervais et al. Rheumatology. 2006;epub ahead of print.
Non-Anti-TNF Mechanisms of Management for the Patient Failing anti-TNF Therapy
Confirm Inflammation First
Crohn’s Disease• Natalizumab• Methotrexate• Surgery
– Including staged approaches or diversion for induction of remission
• Bowel rest
• Less evidence:– Mycophenolate– Tacrolimus
Ulcerative Colitis
• Cyclosporine• Tacrolimus• Surgery
Don’t Forget about Clinical
Trials!
BrainBone marrow Gut
MadCAM-1
a4b7
VCAM-1
a4b1
endothelium
leukocyte
integrins
addressins
natalizumab
Vedolizumab, rhuMab-beta7
natalizumab
PF-00547659
Leukocyte Trafficking Inhibition
Updated Utilization and Safety Results of Natalizumab in CD and MS
(TOUCH, CD INFORM, TYGRIS & Pregnancy Registry Studies)
• 118,100 patients have received globally (post-marketing) as of 6/30/2013– Predominantly MS patients
• PML (Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy)– Rare but serious – 410 cases reported globally as of 01-Oct-
2013; 23% have died– Longer duration and prior immunosuppressant use increases
risk– Risk for patients treated 24-36 months similar to rates seen in
clinical trials – Limited safety data beyond 4 yrs of treatment– No known treatment or prevention interventions for PML
https://medinfo.elan.com (accessed 12-Dec-2011); PML Incidence according to Elan Pharmaceuticals at 04-Nov-2013.
Recommendations for JCV Antibody Testing
• Testing prior to treatment with natalizumab• If positive, consider retesting.
– If confirmed, option is treatment with natalizumab for 9-12 months
• If negative, may treat with natalizumab, retest every 6 months– If converts to positive, stop therapy
• The benefit and safety of a drug holiday and restarting after “resetting” the exposure has not been tested in Crohn’s disease
• Vedolizumab (expected approval Q2 2014) does not have PML associated with it.
CASE 4 - conclusion
• JCV antibody negative
• TOUCH program
• Natalizumab initiated (300 mg IV q month)
• Stable remission returns
• Ongoing monitoring– Repeat JCV antibody assessment q6 months
What happens to the patients who receive natalizumab in the current post-TNF paradigm?
Chicago Experience
Sakuraba et al. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2013; ;19(3):621-6.
SUMMARY: Avoiding Errors in IBD
• Clarify diagnosis and the presence of inflammation when making treatment adjustments
• “Optimize” therapy – delivery, metabolism and pK
• Rule out confounders• Don’t stay within class if the mechanism
has clearly failed• Remember surgery