Vedolizumab Compared with Certolizumab in the Therapy of Crohn Disease: A Systematic Review and Indirect Comparison

Will the Inducing and Maintaining Remission of Non-biological Agents and Biological Agents Differ for Crohn's Disease? The Evidence From the Network Meta-Analysis

Background: Several drugs currently are available for the treatment of Crohn's disease, including non-biological agents such as anti-inflammatory agents, steroids, immunosuppressive agents, and biologic agents such as anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF), anti-α4β7 integrin, anti-alpha-4 integrin and anti-interleukin 12/23. However, the choice of treatments for induction and maintenance is still a challenge. The relevant comparison between non-biologic agents and biologic agents is few. In our research, we aimed to help making decisions, as well as providing clinicians and patients with medication references.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of controlled trials for relevant randomized controlled trials published through to July 2020 and systematic reviews published from January 2011 to December 2020. Search results were screened by 2 independent reviewers first by title and abstract and then by full text. Disagreements were resolved through discussion with a third reviewer.

Results: 54 randomized controlled trials were included in our analysis. For induction of remission, azathioprine (OR, 3.5; 95% Crl, 1.4–8.9), infliximab (OR, 4.1; 95% Crl, 1.2–16.0), infliximab + azathioprine (OR, 7.0; 95% Crl, 1.2–41.0) and infliximab+ methotrexate (OR, 7.8; 95% Crl, 1.2–65.0) were more effective in first-line therapy than placebo. Adalimumab showed superiority to placebo in second-line therapy, but the range of SD was wide. For maintenance of remission, adalimumab (OR,2.24;95% Crl,1.17–4.76) and azathioprine (OR,2.05; 95% Crl,1.14–3.96) were more effective than placebo. Adalimumab (OR,0.56; 95%Crl,0.27–1.2), budesonide (OR,0.63; 95%Crl,0.26–1.6) and natalizumab (OR,0.65; 95%Crl,0.30–1.4) was associated with less risk of withdrawals when compared with placebo.

Conclusion: For induction of remission, azathioprine, infliximab, and infliximab + azathioprine were more effective in first-line therapy. In second-line therapy, adalimumab was more effective but should be interpreted carefully. For maintenance of remission, adalimumab and azathioprine were more effective. Besides, adalimumab, budesonide, natalizumab had lower withdrawals. Therefore, biological agents were not always better than non-biological agents and they have their own advantages in different treatment methods of Crohn's disease.

An indirect comparison of ustekinumab and vedolizumab in the therapy of TNF-failure Crohn's disease patients

AIM

An indirect comparison of ustekinumab versus vedolizumab in patients with active moderate-to-severe Crohn's disease who were nonresponsive or intolerant to previous TNF-antagonist therapy.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed in Medline via PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, until 30 April 2017. Inclusion criteria were: randomized controlled trials, patients treated for Crohn's disease, ustekinumab or vedolizumab therapy. Included trials were critically appraised and afterward indirect comparison by Bucher was conducted; the manuscript was prepared in accordance to the PRISMA requirements.

RESULTS

Five randomized controlled trials were included and assessed for homogeneity; they occurred eligible for indirect comparison referring to induction or maintenance phase of TNF-antagonist failure population treatment; no statistically significant differences in clinical response (relative benefit [RB]: 1.14; 95% CI: 0.65-1.99; p = 0.64) as well as in clinical remission (RB: 1.16; 95% CI: 0.54-2.48; p = 0.71) in induction phase of therapy were revealed; no significant disparity was presented in a maintenance phase in clinical remission (RB: 0.72; 95% CI: 0.30-1.68; p = 0.44). No significant differences were also revealed in primary and secondary nonresponders subpopulations in clinical response. Indirect comparison of the safety profile presented no statistically significant difference between the biologics (relative risk [RR]: 0.93; 95% CI: 0.81-1.08; p = 0.35).

CONCLUSION

No significant differences between vedolizumab and ustekinumab in clinical response and clinical remission for induction and remission in maintenance phase of TNF refractory patients therapy were revealed. In addition, no significant disparities in the risk of adverse events suggest a similar safety profile.

Inhibition of TNF reduces mechanical orofacial hyperalgesia induced by Complete Freund's Adjuvant by a TRPV1-dependent mechanism in mice

BACKGROUND

Inflammation in the orofacial region results in pain and is associated with many pathological states, including migraine, neuralgias and temporomandibular disorder. Although extensively studied, the mechanisms responsible for these conditions are not known and effective treatments are lacking. We reported earlier that the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF) plays an important role in regulation of trigeminal ganglion (TG) neuron function in vitro. In the present study we investigated the role of TNF in mechanical hypersensitivity in mice.

METHODS

We employed the Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA)-induced model of orofacial pain and evaluated the effect of blocking of soluble TNF activity by peripheral administration of the novel dominant negative TNF biologic, XPro1595.

RESULTS

We show that CFA administration into the lower lip causes hyperalgesia and an increase in both expression of transient receptor potential vanilloid subfamily member 1 (TRPV1) mRNA and in the average intensity of TRPV1 protein immunoreactivity in TG neurons. We also show that intraperitoneal administration of XPro1595 prevents both CFA-induced mechanical hypersensitivity and, as shown in immunohistochemical staining - upregulation of TRPV1 protein expression in TG neurons.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that one of the possible regulatory mechanisms of TNF in pain involves upregulation of the nociceptor TRPV1, and that peripheral treatment with a selective anti-soluble TNF biologic can prevent hyperalgesia caused by inflammation in the orofacial region. Therefore, these new findings suggest that XPro1595 may serve as a novel treatment for orofacial pain disorders.