Outcome of biological therapies in chronic antibiotic-refractory pouchitis: A retrospective single-centre experience

In limited retrospective series, infliximab, adalimumab and vedolizumab have demonstrated efficacy in chronic antibiotic-refractory pouchitis. Here, we report single-centre data of all biological therapies in refractory pouchitis.

We retrospectively assessed all records from patients with ulcerative colitis and ileal pouch -anal anastomosis who received infliximab, adalimumab or vedolizumab for pouchitis. Clinically relevant remission, defined as a modified Pouchitis Disease Activity Index <5 and a reduction of modified Pouchitis Disease Activity Index ≥2 points from baseline, was assessed at week 14.

Thirty-three unique patients were identified. Prior to colectomy, patients had been exposed to cyclosporine (n = 14), infliximab (n = 12), adalimumab (n = 3), and/or vedolizumab (n = 3). All developed chronic antibiotic-refractory pouchitis, for which they received infliximab (n = 23), adalimumab (n = 13) or vedolizumab (n = 15). Clinically relevant remission was observed in 43.5% of patients in the infliximab group, and in 38.5% and 60.0% in the adalimumab and vedolizumab group, respectively. In the long-term, significantly more patients continued vedolizumab compared to anti-tumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy (hazard ratio 3.0, p = 0.04). Adverse events (mainly infusion reactions) explained 40.7% of the patients discontinuing anti-TNF therapy, whereas discontinuation of vedolizumab was only related to insufficient efficacy. Four patients eventually required a permanent ileostomy.

In this case series of chronic antibiotic-refractory pouchitis, biological therapy was effective in the majority of patients and only a minority eventually required a permanent ileostomy. The use of anti-TNF agents was hampered by a high rate of adverse events, partly related to immunogenicity as some patients had been exposed to anti-TNF prior to colectomy. Vedolizumab was also efficacious and may provide a safe alternative in these chronic antibiotic-refractory pouchitis patients.