Ferrante et al. conducted a phase 3 trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of mirikizumab in patients with moderately-to-severely active Crohn’s disease. The study demonstrated that mirikizumab significantly improved clinical and endoscopic outcomes compared with placebo at week 52, with a favourable safety profile and tolerable adverse events.

Heutz et al. found that patients requiring bDMARDs rarely achieved DMARD-free remission, while 15–37% of those on non-bDMARDs reached this milestone, underscoring significant differences based on treatment type. This suggests the EULAR recommendation against DMARD cessation may be too generalised.

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December 2024

Alarfaj et al. demonstrate fenofibrate significantly improved clinical outcomes, inflammatory biomarkers, and quality of life in patients with mild-to-moderate UC when added to mesalamine therapy.

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Haraoui et al. conducted a subgroup analysis of the CANTORAL study, showing that tofacitinib effectiveness was similar in patients with or without CV risk enrichment. However, AEs, particularly in older patients (≥65 years), were more frequent in the CV+ cohort. These findings highlight the need for tailored CV risk management when treating RA with tofacitinib.

Buch et al. demonstrated that filgotinib sustained its efficacy in rheumatoid arthritis patients through Wk156 in the FINCH 4 long-term extension study, showing stable safety profiles. The study reported high ACR response rates and remission based on Boolean criteria, underlining filgotinib's potential for extended clinical benefits.

Baricitinib as monotherapy for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: analysis of real-world data

Current Medical Research and Opinion 2024;40:1993–2002 doi: 10.1080/03007995.2024.2416979.

Edwards et al. report on real-world data for baricitinib monotherapy in rheumatoid arthritis, showing significant disease activity reduction across multiple registries and observational studies. These findings reinforce the viability of baricitinib monotherapy in clinical practice for RA patients, complementing existing guidelines.

November 2024

Choy et al. investigated the efficacy and safety of intensified versus standard infliximab dosing for steroid-refractory acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC). The study found that a first dose of 10mg/kg infliximab was not superior to the standard 5mg/kg dose in achieving clinical response by Day 7. Earlier responses were noted with dose intensification, but no significant differences were observed in remission, colectomy rates, or safety profiles by Month 3.

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Buch et al. evaluated the efficacy and safety of filgotinib in patients with moderately active rheumatoid arthritis and inadequate response to methotrexate in the FINCH 1 study. At     Wk 12, ACR20 response rates were significantly higher with filgotinib 200 mg (77.9%) and 100 mg (67.8%) compared to placebo (43.8%). Safety profiles for both filgotinib doses were similar to adalimumab.

October 2024

Risankizumab for Ulcerative Colitis Two Randomized Clinical Trials

JAMA. 2024;332:881-897 doi: 10.1001/jama.2024.12414

Louis et al. demonstrated risankizumab to significantly improve clinical remission rates compared to placebo in both an induction trial and in a maintenance trial for patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis.

Phase 2 Trial of Anti-TL1A Monoclonal Antibody Tulisokibart for Ulcerative Colitis

N Engl J Med. 2024;391:1119-1129 doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa23140

Sands et al. demonstrated that 12-week treatment of tulisokibart, a monoclonal antibody targeting TL1A, significantly improved clinical remission rates compared to placebo in patients with moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis.

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