AimTo evaluate patient outcomes 2 years post switching Infliximab therapy from Infliximab originator molecule Remicade® to biosimilar Remsima®.MethodsPatients with PIBD who experienced induction with Remicade® therapy, were <18 years old at last follow-up and were receiving active treatment with Remsima® 2 years post switching were selected to be included for evaluation. Outcome measures included monitoring disease activity and treatment failure at baseline (before switching) and at selected time points up to 2 years post-switch. Disease activity was assessed looking at a range of parameters: disease activity scores; trough infliximab levels; haematological markers (HGB, platelets, WBC); LFTs (bilirubin, ALT, ALP); inflammatory markers (ESR, CRP) and faecal calprotectin levels. Patients who failed therapy were assessed for adverse reactions and infliximab antibody formation. Data was analysed with the Cochran Q test, repeated measures ANOVA test and Friedman test; with post-hoc Bonferroni and Wilcoxon Signed-Ranks tests if appropriate.ResultsData was available for 18 patients after exclusion criteria were applied. There was a significant increase in trough infliximab levels by the end of the period from an average of 5 ug/L to 12 ug/L at 2 years. The average dose/kg increased over 2 years by 1.5 mg/kg. Disease activity markers showed no changes between time points except a decrease in ALP levels from baseline to 1 year, but values remained within normal ranges. Four patients were discontinued from Remsima® due to side effects or loss of efficacy. The average time to treatment failure on Remsima® was 38 months (~19/20 doses). Three out of four patients developed infliximab antibodies, 2 of these patients went on to suffer adverse reactions; 1 exhibited joint pain which settled weeks after each infusion and the other developed an immediate infusion reaction in the form of a rash with urticaria on the 3rd infusion of Remsima®.ConclusionInfliximab biosimilars, such as Remsima®, were approved for use in PIBD by the EMA after studies in adult populations with rheumatic diseases.1 2 Induction studies have shown efficacy in PIBD but data on switching is limited and short-term.3 4 Our data shows no significant differences in clinical patient outcomes over a 2-year period in a cohort switched from Remicade® to Remsima®. In fact, a significant increase in trough infliximab levels in patients remaining on Remsima® suggests efficacy in producing therapeutic levels in PIBD patients. Increased levels may be explained by dose intensification used by the PIBD multi-disciplinary team (MDT), reflecting careful dose optimisation strategies used at this trust throughout the time period. Patients losing response were not unexpected and are likely not due to the biosimilar switch but rather due to the length of time the patients were on treatment. The small sample size and retrospective nature of this study mean larger cohort studies are required over prolonged time periods to confirm these findings. PIBD MDTs should continue to monitor patients for adverse reactions, particularly in those who develop infliximab antibodies.ReferencesPark W, Hrycaj P, Jeka S, et al. A randomised, double-blind, multicentre, parallel-group, prospective study comparing the pharmacokinetics, safety, and efficacy of CT-P13 and innovator infliximab in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: the PLANETAS study. Ann Rheum Dis 2013;72:1605–1612.Yoo DH, Hrycaj P, Miranda P, et al. Extended report: a randomised, double-blind, parallel-group study to demonstrate equivalence in efficacy and safety of CT-P13 compared with innovator infliximab when co-administered with methotrexate in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis: the PLANETRA study. Ann Rheum Dis 2013;72:1613.Sieczkowska J, Jarzębicka D, Banaszkiewicz A, et al. Switching Between Infliximab Originator and Biosimilar in Paediatric Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Preliminary Observations. J Crohn’s Colitis 2016;10:127–132.Sieczkowska J, Jarzębicka D, Meglicka M, et al. Experience with biosimilar infliximab (CT-P13) in paediatric patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. Therap Adv Gastroenterol 2016;9:729–735.
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