Upadacitinib induction is effective and safe in ulcerative colitis patients including those with prior exposure to tofacitinib: a multicenter real-world cohort study.

Background/aims: Upadacitinib is a novel selective Janus kinase inhibitor approved for use in ulcerative colitis. Clinical trials had rigorous criteria and excluded many patient subgroups. Given limited real-world effectiveness data, we examined outcomes of patients treated with upadacitinib for ulcerative colitis in a real-world population.

Methods: Patients that commenced upadacitinib for moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis from September 2022 until March 2023 were identified at 13 inflammatory bowel disease centers across Australia. Clinical, biochemical, endoscopic, and intestinal ultrasound outcomes were recorded retrospectively at baseline, week 8, and week 16.

Results: One hundred and fifty-two patients (61 female [40%], median age 38 years [interquartile range, 28-50]) were included. The primary endpoint of clinical remission was met in 79% at week 8, and 84% at week 16. A total of 42 patients (28%) with prior tofacitinib exposure were included. No significant difference in clinical remission was observed by week 16 between tofacitinib experienced compared to tofacitinib naïve patients (86% vs. 84%, P= 0.67). Complete intestinal ultrasound data was available for 36 patients, showing transmural remission in 64% at week 8 and 81% at week 16, with a decrease in median bowel wall thickness of 2.3 mm and 2.4 mm, respectively.

Conclusions: Upadacitinib resulted in high rates of clinical remission at 8 and 16 weeks in this large real-world cohort of ulcerative colitis patients. Upadacitinib is effective in patients with prior tofacitinib exposure. Intestinal ultrasound shows significant rates of transmural remission at week 8, sustained through week 16.