Ulcerative colitis affects hundreds of thousands of Americans with not all patients responding to current treatments. Two new drugs, investigated in recent studies, could provide new options for these individuals.
The New England Journal of Medicine and The Lancet have published findings on two new treatments showing effectiveness against moderate to severe ulcerative colitis. David T. Rubin, Joseph B. Kirsner Professor of Medicine at the University of Chicago, discussed these developments. “For quite a while, our field has had a ‘therapeutic ceiling’ where only a percentage of patients respond to available treatments, achieve remission, and sustain control,” Rubin stated. “These studies describe the successful results of two new therapies that were effective in treating moderate to severe ulcerative colitis.”
The New England Journal of Medicine study explored tulisokibart, a drug targeting TL1A, found in various inflammatory cells. In a phase involving 135 patients, a significantly higher remission was observed in those receiving tulisokibart compared to a placebo. Another segment of the study focused on patients with the TL1A gene, showing a higher remission rate but lacking statistical significance.
“The potential to use this treatment as a companion diagnostic is an exciting advance in our field,” Rubin noted, indicating promise in pharmacogenomic responses.
The Lancet paper studied guselkumab, known as Tremfya, targeting IL-23, a cytokine involved in several immune diseases. It evaluated 701 patients, finding increased remission rates in those receiving the drug compared to a placebo. Consequently, the FDA approved Tremfya for moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis, and it was first administered in September 2024 at the University of Chicago Medicine.
In further research with Nature Medicine, Rubin and fellow researchers, including Eugene B. Chang, identified bacterial species common in inflammatory bowel disease patients. This may lead to a diagnostic test using patient fecal samples for timely intervention.
These clinical trials and advancements hold promise for patients with inflammatory bowel disease. “It’s great to have another effective option for our patients,” Rubin said.
Rubin has disclosed involvement as a paid consultant for Johnson & Johnson, makers of Tremfya.
—Adapted from an article first published by the University of Chicago Medicine.