Vedolizumab appears safe, effective in first-line treatment of ulcerative colitis in children

Children with ulcerative colitis (UC) seem to respond well to vedolizumab in the first-line setting, inducing remission without increasing the risk of adverse events, according to a small study.

Researchers reviewed the medical records of 12 paediatric patients with UC (median age 12 years) who received first-line vedolizumab. They evaluated the patients’ baseline characteristics, clinical activity of the intestinal disease, levels of faecal calprotectin, C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Clinical effectiveness, biochemical remission, and safety of vedolizumab were also examined.

Faecal calprotectin levels were abnormal in all eight patients, three of whom showed remarkably elevated faecal calprotectin concentrations. In addition, two patients had abnormal C-reactive protein, four had abnormal serum amyloid A, and five had abnormal erythrocyte sedimentation rate values.

Based on the paediatric UC activity index score, disease activity was mild in one patient, moderate in five, and severe in two.

At 14 weeks following vedolizumab initiation, five patients achieved remission, three of whom remained in remission until week 52. Of the three patients who did not reach remission at week 14, two achieved remission by week 52.

At week 52, five of the eight patients continued treatment with vedolizumab and maintained remission. All patients achieved clinical remission without corticosteroid use.

In terms of safety, none of the patients experienced adverse events.