Systematic Review on definitions of Intestinal Ultrasound Treatment Response and Remission in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Background: Intestinal ultrasound (IUS) is emerging as a valuable tool to assess treatment response in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) clinical trials. This study details how IUS defines response and remission to evaluate treatment efficacy in IBD patients.

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of studies from 1984 to 31 March 2024, focusing on IUS use in assessing treatment efficacy in IBD.

Advancing Colorectal Cancer Prevention in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Challenges and Innovations in Endoscopic Surveillance.

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) face an elevated risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC). Endoscopic surveillance is a cornerstone in CRC prevention, enabling early detection and intervention. However, despite recent advancements, challenges persist.

Tamuzimod in patients with moderately-to-severely active ulcerative colitis: a multicentre, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 2 induction trial.

Background: Tamuzimod (VTX002) is a selective sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 1 modulator in development for ulcerative colitis. We aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of tamuzimod in patients with moderately-to-severely active ulcerative colitis.

Methods: This double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 2 induction trial was conducted at 122 centres across 15 countries in Asia, Europe, and North America.

The Role of Therapeutic Endoscopic Ultrasound in Management of Malignant Double Obstruction (Biliary and Gastric Outlet): A Comprehensive Review with Clinical Scenarios.

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided interventions have revolutionized the management of malignant biliary obstruction (MBO) and gastric outlet obstruction (GOO), providing minimally invasive alternatives with improved outcomes. These procedures have significantly reduced the need for high-risk surgical interventions or percutaneous alternatives and have provided effective palliative care for patients with advanced gastrointestinal and bilio-pancreatic malignancies. EUS-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) techniques, including hepaticogastrostomy (EUS-HGS), choledochoduodenostomy (EUS-CDS), and antegrade stenting (EUS-AS), offer high technical and clinical success rates, with a good safety profile particularly when Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is not feasible.

A Randomized Phase II Study of Efmarodocokin Alfa, an interleukin-22 Agonist, Versus Vedolizumab in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis.

Background & Aims: Efmarodocokin alfa is an interleukin (IL)-22 agonist, with favorable pharmacokinetic properties and an acceptable safety profile. This study further explored the therapeutic potential of efmarodocokin alfa compared with vedolizumab in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC).

Methods: This randomized phase II trial evaluated the efficacy, safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of 3 doses of efmarodocokin alfa administered intravenously every 4 weeks (30 μg/kg [n = 43], 60 μg/kg [n = 44], and 90 μg/kg [n = 43]) compared with placebo (n = 22) and with vedolizumab (n = 43) in the treatment of moderate to severe UC.

On-demand treatment of hereditary angioedema attacks: patient-reported utilization, barriers, and outcomes.

Background: Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is clinically characterized by recurrent attacks of cutaneous and submucosal swelling.

Objective: To investigate real-world timing, potential barriers, and impact of delaying on-demand treatment (OD) of HAE attacks METHODS: Patients with HAE (type I or II) aged ≥12 years with ≥1 treated (Treated Cohort) or untreated (Untreated Cohort) attack in the past 3 months were recruited by the US HAE Association. Respondents completed a 20-minute, self-reported, online survey about their last HAE attack.

Acute Severe Ulcerative Colitis: An International Delphi Consensus on Clinical Trial Design and Endpoints.

Background & Aims: Interventional clinical trials in acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC) are characterized by substantial heterogeneity due to a lack of consensus in several key areas of trial design-this impedes clinical research efforts to identify novel therapies. The objective of this initiative was to achieve the first consensus and provide clear position statements on ASUC trial design.

Methods: A modified Delphi consensus approach was employed with a panel of 20 clinicians with international representation and expertise in ASUC trial design and delivery.

Multiple Ileal and Colonic Stenoses: Is It Always Crohn's Disease?

A 62-year-old woman presented with multiple ileal and colonic stenoses, initially suspected to be Crohn's disease. Despite unremarkable endoscopic biopsies, surgery was performed due to clinical deterioration, and histological analysis confirmed the presence of metastatic breast cancer. This case highlights the importance of considering metastatic disease in the differential diagnosis of gastrointestinal (GI) strictures, particularly when inflammatory bowel disease markers are inconclusive or marginal.

Clinical, histological and safety outcomes with long-term maintenance therapies for eosinophilic esophagitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background And Aim: Our aim was to evaluate outcomes of maintenance treatments for EoE among observational studies (OSs) and randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Materials And Methods: Studies reporting histological success of maintenance therapy ≥ 48 weeks were included. Primary outcome was histological success rate (defined as <15/<6 eos/HPF).

Mediators of Filgotinib Treatment Effects in Ulcerative Colitis: Exploring Circulating Biomarkers in the Phase 2b/3 SELECTION Study.

Background: We utilized patient samples from the large, phase 2b/3 SELECTION trial to identify circulating biomarkers of ulcerative colitis (UC) and potential early mediators of filgotinib treatment effects.

Methods: Samples were collected at baseline and during the induction phase of the SELECTION trial. Evaluated biomarkers comprised serum and stool proteins (measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), whole-blood cell counts, and whole-blood RNA-seq-derived gene-expression factors identified via exploratory factor analysis.

Corrigendum to "Differential efficacy of medical therapies for ulcerative colitis according to disease extent: patient-level analysis from multiple randomized controlled trials" volume 72, 102621.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.

IgG4 in the gut: Gastrointestinal IgG4-related disease or a new subtype of inflammatory bowel disease.

IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by tissue infiltration with IgG4-positive plasma cells, leading to fibrosis and organ dysfunction. While primarily affecting the pancreas, bile ducts, and salivary glands, IgG4-RD can also involve the gastrointestinal tract, raising questions about its relationship with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Recent studies suggest that patients with IBD may exhibit histological and serological features consistent with IgG4-RD, such as a dense lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, a storiform-type of fibrosis and a prominent IgG4 immune response.

Serum Neutrophil Biomarkers to Predict Crohn's Disease Progression and Infliximab Treatment Outcomes.

Background And Aims: Predicting the treatment outcomes of biological therapies is an unmet need in Crohn's Disease. In this study, we explored the potential of serum neutrophil-related biomarkers to predict infliximab therapeutic results and disease progression in Crohn's Disease patients, over a 2-year period, in a real-world setting.

Methods: The study included 100 asymptomatic Crohn's Disease patients in the IFX maintenance phase from the prospective, observational, multicenter DIRECT study.

Efficacy and safety of filgotinib as induction and maintenance therapy for Crohn's disease (DIVERSITY): a phase 3, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: There is a need for efficacious therapies for patients with Crohn's disease that are better tolerated and more durable than available treatments. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of filgotinib, an oral Janus kinase 1 preferential inhibitor, for treating Crohn's disease.

Methods: This phase 3, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in 371 centres in 39 countries.

Italian validation of the IBD-disk tool for the assessment of disability in inflammatory bowel diseases: A cross-sectional multicenter study.

Introduction: IBD-Disk is a simple, easy-to-use, and self-administered analogue visual tool for assessing disability in patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). However, it has not yet been validated in Italian. This study aims to validate IBD-Disk in an Italian cross-sectional multicentre study.

Targeting mucosal healing in Crohn's disease: efficacy of novel pathways and therapeutic targets.

Introduction: Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease affecting the entire gastrointestinal tract with a progressive and relapsing course. Achieving mucosal healing has emerged as a critical therapeutic goal, as it is associated with sustained clinical remission, reduced hospitalizations, and fewer surgery rates. Therefore, targeting mucosal healing is essential for long-term control in CD.

Raising the bar in ulcerative colitis management.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease characterized by growing incidence and prevalence around the world in the last few decades. The range of available existing treatment and strategies for its management is being implemented. Given the introduction of newly developed molecules and the lack of specific guidelines, drug positioning may represent a tough clinical challenge.

Management of hereditary angioedema attacks by patients on long-term prophylaxis versus on-demand therapy only.

Despite the use of long-term prophylaxis (LTP) for hereditary angioedema (HAE), the risk of having an attack remains and patients with HAE and on LTP may still experience attacks that can be life threatening. However, the behavioral patterns and perspectives surrounding HAE attack management by patients on LTP are not fully understood. This survey aimed to better understand and compare the behavioral patterns and perspectives, including attitudes and perceptions associated with on-demand treatment among patients on LTP versus those using on-demand therapy only.

Efficacy and safety of mirikizumab in patients with moderately-to-severely active Crohn's disease: a phase 3, multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled and active-controlled, treat-through study.

Background: Mirikizumab, a humanised monoclonal antibody that inhibits IL-23p19, is effective in moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of mirikizumab in patients with moderately-to-severely active Crohn's disease.

Methods: VIVID-1 was a global phase 3, randomised, double-blind, double-dummy, placebo-controlled and active-controlled, treat-through study.

Vedolizumab to prevent postoperative recurrence of Crohn's disease (REPREVIO): a multicentre, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Approximately half of patients with Crohn's disease require ileocolonic resection. Of these, 50% will subsequently have endoscopic disease recurrence within 1 year. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of vedolizumab to prevent postoperative recurrence of Crohn's disease.

Efficacy and safety of Advanced Combination Treatment in immune-mediated inflammatory disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objectives: Advanced combination treatment (ACT), defined as a combination of at least 2 biologic agents, a biologic agent and an oral small molecule, 2 oral small molecules drug with different mechanisms of action is a proposed strategy to improve outcomes in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory disease (IMID). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing ACT with monotherapy in patients with select IMIDs.

Methods: Through a systematic literature search, we identified 10 RCTs (n = 1154) comparing ACT with single agent therapy (monotherapy).