Rate and predictors of successful antitumor necrosis factor deescalation after dose intensification in inflammatory bowel disease patients: a real-world Greek-Turkish collaborative study


Viazis N., TÖRÜNER M., Papastergiou V., Mousourakis K., Christidou A., Tzouvala M., ...Daha Fazla

European journal of gastroenterology & hepatology, cilt.38, sa.1, ss.36-41, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 38 Sayı: 1
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1097/meg.0000000000003083
  • Dergi Adı: European journal of gastroenterology & hepatology
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.36-41
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: antitumor necrosis factor, Crohn’s disease, dose escalation, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis
  • Gazi Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

OBJECTIVES: To identify the rate and predictors of successful antitumor necrosis factor (TNF) dose deescalation in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study collected data from consecutive IBD patients followed at referral centers in Greece and Turkey, who had received intensified anti-TNF regimens due to secondary loss of response. Clinical response, steroid-free clinical remission, biochemical response, or mucosal healing were evaluated at 3 and 6 months following dose escalation. Multivariate analysis was used to identify predictors of successful dose deescalation. RESULTS: A total of 1129 patients were included [Crohn's disease: n = 743; ulcerative colitis: n = 386; infliximab (IFX): n = 650; adalimumab (ADA): n = 471; and golimumab (GOL): n = 8]. The median interquartile range (IQR) duration of anti-TNF treatment before escalation was 13.0 (6.0-36.0) months. After a median (IQR) of 16.0 (8.0-36.0) months of intensified therapy, 283 (25.1%) patients were successfully deescalated to standard anti-TNF dosing, 340 (30.1%) remained on the intensified regimen, and 506 (44.8%) were switched to a different agent - either another anti-TNF ( n = 111, 21.9%) or a biologic with a different mechanism of action ( n = 395, 78.1%). Predictors of successful deescalation included the concomitant use of steroids and the type of anti-TNFa agent used (IFX vs. ADA/GOL). Negative predictors included the presence of extraintestinal manifestations, prior anti-TNF exposure (i.e. ADA followed by IFX and vice versa), and longer duration of anti-TNF therapy before escalation. CONCLUSION: One quarter of IBD patients requiring intensified anti-TNFa therapie were successfully deescalated to standard dosing, after a median of 16.0 (IQR: 8.0-36.0) months.