Update on Biologics in Ulcerative Colitis Scott Plevy, MD University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, NC
Objectives Discuss the latest advances in the pharmacologic management of ulcerative colitis Describe recent key clinical trials, their results, and their application in clinical practice Identify the potential value of measuring serum levels and antibodies to biologics
Adalimumab
Adalimumab Analyses of the ULTRA 1 and 2 Trials Pivotal phase 3 trials for approval in ulcerative colitis (UC) ULTRA 1: 8-week study ULTRA-2: 52-week study Patients Moderately to severely active UC despite concurrent or prior treatment with immunosuppressants (corticosteroids, azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine) Treatments Placebo Adalimumab 160 mg/80 mg induction (Day 1/Day 15), 40 mg maintenance dose Primary end points Proportion of patients achieving clinical remission at week 8 (ULTRA 1 & 2) and week 52 (ULTRA 2) Sandborn WJ et al. Gastroenterology. 2012;142:257-265.
Fraction of Pts (%) Efficacy of Adalimumab for Induction of Remission in UC Four doses of adalimumab; endpoints measured at week 8 *P<.05 vs placebo P=NS P=NS 44.6 51.5 54.6 41.5 37.7 46.9 9.2 10 18.5 * The intent-to-treat (ITT) population included only the 390 patients randomized after the protocol amendment Reinisch W et al. Gut. 2011;60:780-787.
Induction and Maintenance of Clinical Remission by Adalimumab in Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Ulcerative Colitis Patients could switch to open-label adalimumab 40 mg every other week if inadequate response a Randomization/ Baseline ADA 160 mg Placebo ADA 80 mg Placebo Co-primary Endpoint (Remission) ADA 40 mg every other week Placebo Co-primary Endpoint (Remission) Week 0 Week 2 Week 4 Week 8 Week 12 Week 52 a Inadequate response was defined as: Partial Mayo score (PMS) Baseline PMS on 2 consecutive visits 14 days apart (for patients with Baseline PMS 4-7) or PMS 7 on 2 consecutive visits 14 days apart (for patients with Baseline PMS of 8 or 9) ADA=adalimumab Sandborn WJ et al. Gastroenterology. 2012;142:257-265.
Patients with remission (%) Adalimumab for Induction and Maintenance of Remission in UC Patients with response (%) Patients with mucosal healing(%) A B C * 16.5 ** 17.3 ** 50.4 * 41.1 9.3 8.5 34.6 18.3 * 30.2 31.7 15.4 * 25.0 Placebo Adalimumab *P<.05; **P<.005 Sandborn WJ et al. Gastroenterology. 2012;142:257-265
Efficacy Results Stratified by Prior Anti-TNF Treatment No Prior anti-tnf Prior anti-tnf End points Placebo (n=145) Adalimumab (n=150) P value a Placebo (n=101) Adalimumab (n=98) P value a Clinical remission per Mayo score at week 8 b Clinical remission per Mayo score at week 52 b Sustained clinical remission per Mayo score at week 8 and week 52 16 (11.0) 18 (12.4) 9 (6.2) 32 (21.3) 33 (22.0) 16 (10.7).017.029.169 7 (6.9) 3 (3.0) 1 (1.0) 9 (9.2) 10 (10.2) 5 (5.1).559.039.115 Clinical response per Mayo score at week 8 c Clinical response per Mayo score at week 52 c Sustained clinical remission per Mayo score at week 8 and week 52 56 (38.6) 35 (24.1) 24 (16.6) 89 (59.3) 55 (36.7) 44 (29.3) <.001.019.009 29 (28.7) 10 (9.9) 6 (5.9) 36 (36.7) 20 (20.4) 15 (15.3).228.038.032 Mucosal healing at week 8 d Mucosal healing at week 52 d Sustained mucosal healing at week 8 and week 52d Discontinued corticosteroid use before week 52 and achieved clinical remission at week 52 e 51 (35.2) 28 (19.3) 20 (13.8) 5 (6.2) 74 (49.3) 47 (31.3) 36 (24.0) 15 (13.6).014.018.025.096 27 (26.7) 10 (9.9) 6 (5.9) 3 (5.1) 28 (28.6) 15 (15.3) 10 (10.2) 5 (12.5).772.250.269.263 PGA 1 at week 8 SFS 1 at week 8 RBS 1 at week 8 Discontinued corticosteroid use for 90 days before week 52 and achieved remission at week 52 e 63 (43.4) 43 (29.7) 86 (59.3) 5 (6.2) 88 (58.7) 69 (46.0) 116 (77.3) 15 (13.6).009.004 <.001.096 29 (28.7) 27 (26.7) 57 (56.4) 3 (5.1) 26 (26.5) 25 (25.5) 58 (59.2) 5 (12.5).731.844.695.263 Discontinued corticosteroid use and achieved sustained 1 (1.2) 11 (10.0).014 1 (1.7) 4 (10.0).155 clinical remission at both weeks 32 and 52 e IBDQ responders at week 52 IBDQ responders at week 8 31 (21.4) 75 (51.7) 48 (32.0) 102 (68.0).039.004 9 (8.9) 37 (36.6) 17 (17.3) 42 (42.9).078.370 NOTE. Data are n (%). IBDQ, inflammotory bowel disease questionnaire; PGA, Physician s Global Assessment subscore; RBS, rectal bleeding subscore; SFS, stool frequency subscore. a P values to compare adalimumab treatment group with placebo were based on x 2 test (or Fisher s exact test is 20% of the cells had an expected cell count <5). b Mayo score 2 with no individual subscore >1. c Decrease from baseline in Mayo score 3 points and 30%, rectal bleeding subscore 0 or 1 or decrease from baseline 1 point. d Endoscopy subscore 0 or 1. e Among patients with baseline corticosteroid use: n=81 for placebo and n=110 for adalimumab (no prior anti-tnf); n=59 for placebo and n=40 for adalimumab (prior anti-tnf). Sandborn WJ et al. Gastroenterology. 2012;142:257-265
Conclusions When and where to use adalimumab in UC? Anti-TNF naive When infliximab vs adalimumab? Inconclusive data in infliximab-experienced patients Dosing not optimized Dose escalation may rescue patients (ACG abstract)
Infliximab
Cyclosporine Versus Infliximab In Severe Acute Ulcerative Colitis Refractory To Intravenous Steroids: A Randomized Trial Cys i.v. oral + Azathioprine Screening R Study Period IFX + Azathioprine -5 0 7 14 42 98 days Cys=cyclosporine; IFX=infliximab. Laharie D et al. Digestive Disease Week 2011. Abstract no. 619.
Cyclosporine Versus Infliximab In Severe Acute Ulcerative Colitis Refractory To Intravenous Steroids: A Randomized Trial Primary Objectives Response: D 7 100% 80% 60% Difference Cys vs. IFX failure rates: -6.4% (95%CI: - 24.8 to 12.0%) 60% P=.49 54% 100% 80% 60% Difference Cys vs. IFX: -0.3% (95%CI: -13.3 to 12.8%) 85.4% 85.7% P=.97 40% 40% 20% 20% 0% Cys (n=55) IFX (n=56) 0% Cys (n=55) IFX (n=56) Response: Lichtiger score <10 and decrease 3 points as compared to baseline Cys=cyclosporine; IFX=infliximab. Laharie D et al. Digestive Disease Week 2011. Abstract #619
Colectomy-free survival Infliximab vs Cyclosporine: Time to Colectomy 1.0 0.8 0.6 0.4 P=.66 Colectomy rate Cys: 18 ± 5% IFX: 21± 5% Cys IFX 0.2 0 14 28 42 56 70 84 98 Days since randomization % of patients 56 53 50 46 46 46 45 41 at risk 55 52 50 46 45 45 45 42 Cys=cyclosporine; IFX=infliximab. Laharie D et al. Digestive Disease Week 2011. Abstract #619
Infliximab, Azathioprine, or Infliximab + Azathioprine for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Ulcerative Colitis: UC Success Randomization of Patients Visits AZA + PBO (2.5 mg/kg) (n=79) IFX (5 mg/kg) + PBO (n=78) IFX+AZA (n=80) Week 0 Week 2 Week 6 Week 8 Possible escape* (blinded) Week 14 Week 16 Primary Evaluation *Subjects not achieving 1 point improvement in partial Mayo score Infusions AZA=azathioprine; IFX=infliximab; PBO=placebo. Panaccione R et al. ECCO-IBD 2011. Abstract no. 13.
Infliximab, Azathioprine, or Infliximab + Azathioprine for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Ulcerative Colitis: UC Success Steroid-Free Remission at Week 16 P=.032 P=0.017 P=.813 40 24 22 n=18 n=17 n=31 Total Mayo score 2, with no individual subscore >1, and no steroids AZA=azathioprine; IFX=infliximab; PBO=placebo. Panaccione R et al. ECCO-IBD 2011. Abstract no. 13.
Golimumab
PURSUIT Unique study design of Phase 2 dose-ranging integrated with Phase 3: total of 1065 subjects randomized Phase 2: Dose- Ranging (n=169) 4 arms Prior to Dose Selection (n=122) Phase 3: Dose-Confirming (n=774) 4 arms 3 arms Demography Implement Dose Decision Phase 3 SC Maintenance Study SC Induction Doses at Weeks 0 and 2: Males (56.0%), Caucasian (82.1%) and median age of 38.0 years UC disease characteristics Median disease duration: 4.22 years Extensive disease: 42.2% Placebo (Wk 0) and Placebo (Wk 2) 100 mg (Wk 0) and 50 mg (Wk 2) golimumab 200 mg (Wk 0) and 100 mg (Wk 2) golimumab 400 mg (Wk 0) and 200 mg (Wk 2) golimumab Median Mayo score: 8.0 Sc=subcutaneous Sandborn WJ et al. Digestive Disease Week 2012. Abstract no 943d.
PURSUIT Golimumab for the Induction of Moderate to Severe UC Golimumab: A fully human monoclonal antibody against TNF-α *P<.0001 vs placebo Phase 3: Clinical Response at Week 6 Placebo (n=256) 200 mg 100 mg (n=257) 400 mg 200 mg (n=258) Adverse events of interest: One death due to peritonitis; one case of demyelination; one thyroid cancer (placebo); one colon cancer in situ (seen in screening biopsies); no serious infections Sandborn WJ et al. Digestive Disease Week 2012. Abstract no 943d.
PURSUIT Golimumab for the Maintenance of Moderate to Severe UC Continuous Clinical Response Through Week 54 Clinical Remission at Both Week 30 and Week 54 P=.010 P<.001 P=.091 P=.003 Placebo (n=156) 50 mg (n=153) 100 mg (n=154) Placebo (n=156) 50 mg (n=153) 100 mg (n=154) Golimumab Golimumab Achieved the primary endpoint of maintenance of clinical response through Week 54, as well as other clinically meaningful outcomes No new safety signals were identified Sandborn WJ et al. Digestive Disease Week 2012. Abstract no 943d.
Vedolizumab
α-integrin Therapy for IBD Natalizumab blocks both α4β1 and α4β7 mediated trafficking, resulting in systemic effects Vedolizumab only targets α4β7 integrin, blocking lymphocytes trafficking to the gut Mucosal and Inflammatory Zip Codes Chemokines Leukocyte VCAM-1 a4 Integrins a4b1 a4b7 Vascular Endothelium MAdCAM-1 Fiorino C et al. Expert Rev Clin Immunoli. 2010;6:567-572.
Vedolizumab in UC: The GEMINI I Study Purpose Evaluate the efficacy and safety of vedolizumab (anti-α4β7 integrin) in UC Design Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 52-week phase 3 trial Patients Mayo score 6 and endoscopic subscore 2 despite corticosteroids, purine antimetabolites, and/or TNF-α antagonists Patients responding after 2 induction doses of vedolizumab (weeks 0 and 2) were randomized to treatment Treatments Vedolizumab 300 mg IV q4w Vedolizumab 300 mg IV q8w Placebo Primary end point Clinical remission (Mayo score of 2 points and no individual subscore >1) at week 52 Feagan BG et al. ACG 2012. Program no. 5.
GEMINI I Vedolizumab for the Treatment of UC * * *P< 0.005 Prior Anti-TNF Exposure No Prior Anti-TNF Exposure * * * * Placebo Vedolizumab Placebo Vedolizumab Feagan BG et al. ACG 2012. Program no. 5.
GEMINI I Vedolizumab for the Maintenance of UC Primary and Secondary Outcomes Through 52 Weeks Maintenance ITT Population *** *** *** *** *P<0.05, **P<0.01, ***P<0.0001 *** *** *** ** ** * Placebo VDZ Q8 weeks VDZ Q4 weeks Clinical Remission Durable Clinical Response Mucosal Healing Durable Clinical Remission Corticosteroid-Free Remissions Vedolizumab (VDZ) is more effective than placebo as induction and maintenance therapy in patients with moderate to severely active ulcerative colitis (anti-tnf exposed and naïve patients) Feagan BG et al. ACG 2012. Program no. 5.
GEMINI I Safety of Vedolizumab for the Treatment of UC Maintenance ITT Population Placebo N=126 VDZ Q8Wks N=122 VDZ Q4Wks N=125 Safety Population Placebo N=275 Any Adverse Event (AE), % 84 82 81 80 80 Drug-related AE, % 32 30 30 28 32 AE resulting in discontinuation, % 12 6 5 11 6 Serious AEs, % 16 8 9 13 12 Serious infection AEs, % 3 2 2 3 2 VDZ N=620 Deaths, n (%) 0 0 0 0 1 (<1%) VDZ=vedolimumab Feagan BG et al. ACG 2012. Program no. 5.
Serum Infliximab Levels in UC
Remission (% of patients) Detectable Serum Trough IFX Concentration is Associated with Higher Remission Rate and Endoscopic Improvement Cohort study N=115 with moderate to severe UC Follow-up time: median 13.9 months Efficacy P<.001 Detectable serum IFX was associated with Higher remission rates (69% vs. 15%; P<.001) Endoscopic improvement (76% vs. 28%; P<.001) Undetectable serum IFX predicted an increased risk for colectomy IFX=infliximab Seow CH et al. Gut 2010;59:49-54
Colectomy (% of patients) Presence of Detectable Trough Infliximab Levels Reduces Colectomy Rates in UC P<.001 Seow CH, et al. Gut 2010; 59:49-54
Treatment Algorithm in IBD Patients With Clinical Symptoms (Infliximab and HACA Concentrations) Positive HACA Therapeutic IFX concentration 1 Subtherapeutic IFX concentration a Change to another anti-tnf agent persistent disease Change to nonanti-tnf agent Active disease on endoscopy/radiology? yes Change to different anti-tnf agent no Investigate alternate etiologies Increase infliximab dose or frequency Change to different anti-tnf agent Change to different anti-tnf agent Change to nonanti-tnf agent a >12 mcg/ml at 4 weeks or detectable trough level; patients should have endoscopic or radiologic imaging IFX=infliximab Afif W et al. Am J Gastroenterol. 2010;105:1133-1139.
Complete / partial response (%) Clinical Utility of Measuring IFX and HACA Levels in Patients with IBD Complete / partial response (%) Clinical outcomes in patients with detectable HACA (n=35)* Clinical outcomes in patients with sub-therapeutic concentrations (n=69)* P<0.016 P<0.004 * 6 discontinued IFX, 3 continued same dose 3, 3 proceeded to surgery, 5 patients could not be assessed * 10 continued same dose, 9 discontinued IFX, 8 proceeded to surgery and 7 patients could not be assessed HACA=human anti-chimeric antibodies; IFX=infliximab Afif W et al. Am J Gastroenterol. 2010;105:1133-1139.
CRP mg/l Novel Infliximab and Antibody-to-Infliximab Assays Are Predictive of Disease Activity in Patients with CD 1487 serum samples from 483 participants in 4 CD RCTs/cohorts Disease activity measured by CRP 1205 pairs of samples taken over sequential time points (trough infliximab/ati in first sample, CRP in second sample) 50.0 25.0 10.0 5.0 2.5 1.0 0.5 *** 244 890 ATI- *** 294 59 Sample size ATI+ Predictors of higher CRP: ATI+, infliximab < 3 mcg/ml IFX < 3 µg/ml IFX 3 µg/ml 5.98 11.92 1.98 11.57 Median CRP (mg/l) ATI=antibody to infliximab; CRP=C-reactive protein; RCT=randomized controlled trial Feagan B et al. Presented at DDW; May 20, 2012. Abstract 565.
Patients (%) PURSUIT Golimumab for the Induction and Maintenance of UC Phase 2: Clinical Endpoints by Serum Golimumab Concentration Quartile at Week 6 No exposure < 1st Quartile 1st and < 2nd Quartile 2nd and < 3rd Quartile 3rd Quartile Sandborn WJ et al. DDW 2012. Abstract 943d.
Conclusions Adalimumab approved for UC 9/28/12 The effectiveness of Humira has not been established in patients with ulcerative colitis who have lost response to or were intolerant to TNF blockers. Infliximab As effective as CsA in severe IVSR UC Effective in combination with azathioprine in biologic/immunomodulator naive UC Golimumab met primary endpoints in phase 3 trial program Vedolizumab met primary endpoints in phase 3 trial program Different MOA
Conclusions (con t) Infliximab levels/antibodies to infliximab Will help with clinical decision making but dogma exceeds data Especially in induction setting, more data is needed before algorithms can be adopted to guide dose escalation vs. switch Is there an effective switch drug? New assay provides more information, but is this clinically important information?