Efficacy of switching from infliximab to golimumab in patients with
ulcerative colitis in deep remission
Viazis, N.
Pontas, C.
Manolakis, A.
Karampekos, G. and
Tsoukali, E.
Galanopoulos, M.
Koustenis, K.
Archavlis, E.
and Christidou, A.
Gazouli, M.
Mantzaris, G. J.
Background-Aim: Intravenously administered biologicals are associated
with a huge pressure to Infusion Units and increased cost. We aimed to
assess the impact of switching infliximab to golimumab in ulcerative
colitis (UC) patients in deep remission.
Patients and method: In a prospective, single-centre pilot study UC
patients on infliximab mono-therapy for >= 2 years, whowere in deep
remission, consented to switch to golimumab and were followed for 1 year
with clinical assessment, serum and faecal biomarkers, work
productivity, satisfaction with treatment and quality of life
parameters. Endoscopic remission was assessed by colonoscopy at 1 year.
Patients fulfilling the same inclusion criteria, who did not consent to
switch to golimumab and continued to receive infliximab mono-therapy,
for the same period, served as controls.
Results: Between October 2015 and October 2017, 20 patients were
recruited; however one patient stopped therapy because of pregnancy. All
19 patients who were switched to golimumab were still in clinical,
biomarker and endoscopic remission at 1 year and maintained excellent
quality of life without any complications. In the control group, 18 of
19 patients were also in deep remission, since only one patient had a
flare which was managed with IFX dose intensification. During a median 3
years extension treatment with golimumab only 2 patients experienced a
flare of colitis.
Conclusions: This pilot study indicates that switching from in-fliximab
to golimumab in UC patients in deep remission does not compromise
treatment effectiveness or the course of disease; golimumab offers a
valid alternative to intravenous infliximab infusions during the
COVID-19 pandemic.
(EN)
