Entyvio for Kid IBD; Phase III Win in PFIC; Drug Flops for Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Vedolizumab (Entyvio) was both safe and effective at inducing clinical remission for kids with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), especially for those with ulcerative colitis, according to the 14-week VEDOKIDS study. This treatment should be considered when other approved IBD therapies are unsuccessful, said researchers in Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology.

In a real-world study of 45 patients with highly refractory Crohn’s disease, 64% achieved clinical response with upadacitinib (Rinvoq) after 3 months and 27% achieved clinical remission. (Journal of Crohn’s and Colitis)

Already approved in Alagille syndrome, the ileal bile acid transporter inhibitor maralixibat (Livmarli) succeeded in the phase III MARCH study of kids with type 2 progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC), significantly reducing pruritus severity and serum bile acids, Mirum Pharmaceuticals announced.

Naltrexone proved safe for patients with alcohol use disorder and liver disease, even among those who had compensated cirrhosis. (Hepatology Communications)

Real-world evidence suggests albumin treatment within 24 hours of hospital admission may improve survival for cirrhosis patients on diuretic therapy who develop acute kidney injury. (Gastro Hep Advances)

The phase III MESSINA trial of benralizumab (Fasenra) in eosinophilic esophagitis failed to meet one of its co-primary endpoints, AstraZeneca announced. Benralizumab showed a significant improvement in histological disease remission, but there wasn’t a change in dysphagia symptoms versus placebo.

Microbiota-derived genotoxic metabolites, which may play a role in colorectal cancer (CRC) development, were discovered in patients with IBD. (Science)

In a cohort of CRC patients whose insurance covered microsatellite instability and/or immunohistochemistry testing, 25% still didn’t receive the testing; a separate cohort found that only 3% of insured CRC patients received germline genetic testing, and one in six of these patients had actionable mutations. (JAMA Network Open)

Preclinical development is now underway for Rani Therapeutics’ RaniPill GO capsule (RT-111) — containing an ustekinumab (Stelara) biosimilar — as a potential treatment for ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and other conditions.