Infliximab Optimization Based on Therapeutic Drug Monitoring in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Infliximab (IFX) is an effective treatment for the management of moderate to severe inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Low-serum IFX levels are associated with the development of antibodies to IFX (ATI), which subsequently associated with clinical relapse and increased morbidity. The primary purpose of this study is to examine the relation between dose and interval to IFX level. Secondary goal is to evaluate the relation between IFX level and ATI in a pediatric IBD population.

We performed a retrospective chart review of all children diagnosed with IBD and treated with IFX at a tertiary care pediatric IBD center. We performed our analysis based on prescribed dosing intervals and rounded dose up to 5 or 10 mg/kg as indicated in clinical practice.

Our study included 278 samples from 129 children on IFX. ATI were detected in 37 samples (13.3%). Low IFX levels (<3 μg/mL) were detected in 37.2% of children receiving IFX. Samples with ATI present had significantly lower levels of IFX than samples in which ATI were not present. For the dose 5 mg/kg, Q6 dosing had significantly higher IFX levels than Q8 dosing (P = 0.009). Higher IFX levels were seen with interval shortening rather than dose escalation.

We demonstrate that low IFX levels are associated with development of immunogenicity to IFX as measured by ATI. We demonstrate that interval shortening rather than dose escalation results in higher IFX levels. We suggest that given the high number of IFX levels below 3 μg/mL in patients, early IFX level evaluation or primary initiation of Q6 week dosing be considered.