A Comparative Study of Different Biological Drugs in First-Line Therapy in Crohn's Disease: A Multicenter Descriptive
Andrei Gila1,2, Carmen Monica Preda1,2, Mircea Diculescu1,2
1Gastroenterology & Hepatology Department, UMF "Carol Davila", 020021 Bucharest, Romania.
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)
|May 27, 2026
Summary
Biologic agents like adalimumab, infliximab, and ustekinumab show similar Crohn
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Biologic agents are crucial for Crohn's disease (CD) treatment.
- Understanding first-line biologic therapy and patient persistence is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze patient populations receiving different first-line biologic therapies for CD.
- To assess treatment persistence and outcomes for adalimumab, infliximab, and ustekinumab.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 535 CD patients from Romania (2006-2024).
- Patients received adalimumab, infliximab, or ustekinumab as first-line therapy.
- Outcomes included clinical remission at 12 weeks and therapy persistence.
Main Results:
- Adalimumab (45%), infliximab (40%), and ustekinumab (12.6%) were used as first-line treatments.
- All biologics achieved ~80% clinical remission; persistence at 2 years was higher for adalimumab and infliximab.
- Serious adverse events were more frequent with infliximab.
Conclusions:
- Despite baseline differences, adalimumab, infliximab, and ustekinumab demonstrate comparable efficacy in first-line CD treatment.
- Persistence varies, with adalimumab and infliximab showing better 2-year retention rates.
- Real-world data highlights similar remission rates but differing persistence and safety profiles.
Keywords:
Crohn’s diseaseadalimumabbiologic therapyfirst-line therapyinfliximabreal-world datatreatment sequencingustekinumabMore Related Videos
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