A real-world, long-term experience on effectiveness and safety of vedolizumab in adult patients with inflammatory bowel disease: The Cross Pennine study

Background: Real-life data on vedolizumab effectiveness in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are still emerging. Data on the comparative safety of the gut selective profile are of particular interest.

Aims: To assess clinical outcome and safety in IBD patients treated with vedolizumab.

Methods: We retrospectively collected data of patients treated with vedolizumab at eight UK hospitals (August 2014-January 2018). Clinical response and remission at 14 and 52 weeks evaluated through Physician Global Assessment (PGA) and adverse events were recorded. Possible predictors of clinical response were examined.

Results: Two hundred and three IBD patients (mean treatment 16 ± 8 months) were included. Of these, 135 patients (mean age 40.6 ± 16.0 years; F:M 1.9:1) had CD and 68 (mean age 44.5 ± 18.1 years; F:M 1:1.2) had UC. According to PGA, 106/135 (78.5%) CD and 62/68 (91.2%) UC patients (p = 0.02) had a clinical response/remission at 14 weeks, whereas 76/119 (63.9%) CD and 52/63 (82.5%) UC patients (p < 0.01) showed a sustained response or remission at 52 weeks, with a high adherence rate (97%). No predictors of clinical response were found. The cumulative incidence of infectious diseases was 11.9 per 100 person-years.

Conclusion: Vedolizumab is an effective therapy for inducing and maintaining remission of IBD, with better results for UC, and with a good safety profile.