Immunological effects and safety of live rotavirus vaccination after antenatal exposure to immunomodulatory biologic agents: a prospective cohort study from the Canadian Immunization Research Network

The outcomes of children born to mothers with autoimmune rheumatic diseases

Maternal autoimmune rheumatic diseases can influence the outcomes of children through several life stages. During pregnancy, maternal inflammation and autoantibodies can hinder fetal development and lead to growth restriction, preterm birth, and low birth weight; prematurity, especially at extreme gestational ages, can in turn impair future child health. Treatment with compatible immunomodulatory drugs and preventive medications aims to keep maternal disease under control and minimise the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, concerns have been raised about the effects of immunomodulatory drugs on neonatal conditions (ie, the risk of serious infections, inadequate responses to vaccinations, and organ toxicity) and long-term outcomes (metabolic and cardiovascular problems and neurodevelopmental disorders). Among the unmet needs of parents with autoimmune rheumatic diseases, there is the estimation of risk for the children to develop autoimmune disorders and the need for reassurance about parenting capacity while living with a chronic condition. This Series paper provides a comprehensive overview of the literature and guidance on discussing these topics with patients.

The time of equipoise on the use of biological DMARDs in for inflammatory arthritis during pregnancy is finally over: a reappraisal of evidence to optimise pregnancy management

Active inflammatory arthritis in pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Treatment of active inflammation and maintenance of low disease activity with medication reduces these risks. Therapeutic decisions on disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in pregnancy are complicated by safety concerns, which have led to inappropriate withdrawal of treatment and consequential harm to mother and fetus. Studies of inflammatory arthritis in pregnancy have consistently shown minimal safety concerns with the use of biological DMARDs and an increased risk of disease flare with discontinuation of biological DMARDs. It is our opinion that during pregnancy, the benefits of disease control with biological DMARDs, when required in addition to conventional synthetic DMARDs, outweigh the risks. In this Series paper, we review the reasons for reconsideration of equipoise and propose an agenda for future research to optimise the use of biological DMARDs in inflammatory arthritis during pregnancy.

Serological responses to vaccination in children exposed in utero to ustekinumab or vedolizumab: cross-sectional analysis of a prospective multicentre cohort

Evidence on serological responses to vaccination in children exposed to ustekinumab (UST) or vedolizumab (VDZ) in utero is lacking. This multicentre prospective study aimed to assess the impact of prenatal exposure to UST or VDZ due to maternal inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on serological responses to vaccination and other immunological parameters in exposed children. Children aged ≥ 1 year who were exposed in utero to UST or VDZ and completed at least 1-year of mandatory vaccination were included. We assessed the serological response to vaccination (non-live: tetanus, diphtheria, and Haemophilus influenzae B; live: mumps, rubella, and measles), whole blood count, and immunoglobulin levels. The control group comprised unexposed children born to mothers without IBD. A total of 23 children (median age, 25 months) exposed to UST (n = 13) or VDZ (n = 10) and 10 controls (median age, 37 months) were included. The serological response to vaccination was comparable between the UST and VDZ groups and controls, with an adequate serological response rate of ≥ 80%. Only children exposed to UST showed a slightly reduced serological response to mumps (67% vs. 86% in controls), whereas all children exposed to VDZ showed an adequate response. The majority of the exposed children had normal levels of individual immunoglobulin classes, similar to the controls. No severe pathology was observed in any of the children.Conclusion: Despite the limited sample size, our findings suggest that in utero exposure to VDZ or UST does not significantly impair the vaccine response or broader immunological parameters in exposed children.

Validation of the Pharmacokinetic Model for Anti-TNFα Clearance in Infants Exposed to Anti-TNFα During Pregnancy

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The ECCO guideline recommends postponing live attenuated vaccines in infants exposed to anti-tumour necrosis factor alpha [anti-TNFα] in utero until drug clearance. The aim was to validate the predictive performance of the anti-TNFα clearance model.

METHODS

Newborns and data for anti-TNFα concentrations from the prospective PETIT cohort were included. The anti-TNFα clearance model was used to predict all measured concentrations in the PETIT cohort, based on the measured cord blood concentration and the mean population clearance described in the model. Bayesian maximum a posteriori optimization was used to estimate the use of drug monitoring. Predictive capability and drug monitoring were assessed through mean absolute error [MAE], root mean squared prediction error, and limits of agreement according to Bland and Altman.

RESULTS

Observed drug concentrations after birth were within the 80% prediction interval in 94% of adalimumab samples and 93% of infliximab samples. The anti-TNFα clearance model accurately predicted the concentration at 6 months after birth with an MAE of 0.03 µg/mL [SD 0.03] for adalimumab and 0.11 µg/mL [SD 0.18] for infliximab based on cord blood concentrations. Addition of an additional sample between 1 and 4 months after birth improved the predictive accuracy for infliximab (MAE 0.05 [SD 0.09]) but not for adalimumab. Guidance for use in clinical practice was formulated.

CONCLUSIONS

The validity of the anti-TNFα clearance model is high, and hence can be used to guide clinicians regarding the timing of live vaccines in infants exposed to adalimumab or infliximab in utero.

Updates on the management of inflammatory bowel disease from periconception to pregnancy and lactation

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affects reproductive planning due to psychological effects and mechanical problems related to surgery. Children of people with IBD have an increased risk of about 10% if one parent has IBD and up to 33% if both parents have IBD. The fertility of people with IBD is similar to the general population, but fertility might be reduced in individuals with active IBD, ileal pouch-anal anastomosis, or perianal Crohn's disease. Flaring disease during pregnancy increases complications, such as preterm birth. Thus, disease management with appropriate medications can optimise outcomes. As most medications have minimal fetal risks, people with IBD should be informed about the risks of stopping medications and the importance of maintaining remission. A period of disease remission is advisable before pregnancy and could reduce the risks for both the pregnant person and the fetus. Flexible endoscopy, intestinal ultrasound, and gadolinium-free magnetic resonance enterography are safe during pregnancy. We provide state-of-the-art knowledge on the basis of the latest evidence to ensure successful pregnancy outcomes in controlled IBD.

Vedolizumab and Ustekinumab Levels in Pregnant Women With Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Infants Exposed In Utero

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Vedolizumab and ustekinumab pharmacokinetics in pregnancy and the infant after in utero exposure remain incompletely defined. We aim to define the antenatal stability of ustekinumab and vedolizumab levels and the time at which infant drug levels become undetectable.

METHODS

This multicenter prospective observational cohort study recruited pregnant or preconception women with inflammatory bowel disease receiving vedolizumab or ustekinumab. Trough drug levels, clinical data, and biochemical data were documented preconception, during each trimester of pregnancy, and postpartum. Maternal and cord blood drug levels were measured at delivery and in infants until undetectable. Infant outcomes were assessed until 2 years of age.

RESULTS

A total of 102 participants (vedolizumab, n = 58) were included. The majority of mothers were, and remained, in clinical and biochemical remission. Maternal vedolizumab levels decreased over the course of pregnancy in association with increasing weight, rather than increasing gestation. Maternal ustekinumab levels remained stable. The median time to drug becoming undetectable in the infant was shorter for vedolizumab (11 wk; range, 5-19 wk; n = 32) than ustekinumab (14 wk; range, 9-36 wk; n = 17) and correlated positively with infant delivery level. Thirty-two of 41 (88%) and 17 of 30 (67%) vedolizumab- and ustekinumab-exposed infants had undetectable drug levels by 15 weeks of age, respectively. Pregnancy and infant outcomes were favorable. Twenty infants with undetectable drug levels received the rotavirus vaccine, with no adverse reactions reported.

CONCLUSIONS

Maternal vedolizumab levels decreased, whereas ustekinumab levels remained stable over the course of pregnancy. Most vedolizumab- and approximately half of ustekinumab-exposed infants had undetectable drug levels by 15 weeks of age. No concerning maternal or infant safety signals were identified.

Infant Ustekinumab Clearance, Risk of Infection, and Development After Exposure During Pregnancy

BACKGROUND

Evidence on ustekinumab safety in pregnancy is gradually expanding, but its clearance in the postnatal period is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate ustekinumab concentrations in umbilical cord blood and rates of clearance after birth, as well as how these correlate with maternal drug concentrations, risk of infection, and developmental milestones during the first year of life.

METHODS

Pregnant women with inflammatory bowel disease were prospectively recruited from 19 hospitals in Denmark and the Netherlands between 2018 and 2022. Infant infections leading to hospitalization/antibiotics and developmental milestones were assessed. Serum ustekinumab concentrations were measured at delivery and specific time points. Nonlinear regression analysis was applied to estimate clearance.

RESULTS

In 78 live-born infants from 76 pregnancies, we observed a low risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes and normal developmental milestones. At birth, the median infant-mother ustekinumab ratio was 2.18 (95% confidence interval, 1.69-2.81). Mean time to infant clearance was 6.7 months (95% confidence interval, 6.1-7.3 months). One in 4 infants at 6 months had an extremely low median concentration of 0.015 μg/mL (range 0.005-0.12 μg/mL). No variation in median ustekinumab concentration was noted between infants with (2.8 [range 0.4-6.9] μg/mL) and without (3.1 [range 0.7-11.0] μg/mL) infections during the first year of life (P = .41).

CONCLUSIONS

No adverse signals after intrauterine exposure to ustekinumab were observed with respect to pregnancy outcome, infections, or developmental milestones during the first year of life. Infant ustekinumab concentration was not associated with risk of infections. With the ustekinumab clearance profile, live attenuated vaccination from 6 months of age seems of low risk.

Normal Infant Immunologic Assessment and Uneventful Live Rotavirus Vaccination Despite Continuous Tofacitinib Exposure In Utero and During Breastfeeding

Background

Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors are effective for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, this class of medications is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding based on animal data suggesting teratogenesis and recent reports of transmammary transfer after maternal ingestion, raising concerns for immune system development in babies exposed to these drugs.

Methods

We present the case of a patient with IBD treated with a JAK inhibitor who decided to continue the medication throughout her pregnancy and during breastfeeding. This is the first reported case of a detailed immunologic profile in a baby exposed to tofacitinib in utero and during lactation.

Results

A 30-year-old female with ulcerative colitis with previous exposure to vedolizumab and infliximab achieved complete remission with tofacitinib therapy. The patient became pregnant after 5 months of JAK inhibitor therapy and decided to continue tofacitinib during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. The patient delivered a healthy offspring with no congenital malformations, a normal detailed immunologic profile, and subsequent safe provision of the live oral rotavirus vaccine.

Conclusions

This case highlights the importance of individualized counseling for patients of childbearing age who are candidates for JAK inhibition. Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding with refractory disease may have limited medical therapeutic options. Ongoing effective therapy for IBD resulted in complete disease remission in the mother and favorable outcomes in the infant. Further, an in-depth infant immunological assessment can lead to specific vaccination recommendations in exposed infants.