Background: The optimal dosing strategy of infliximab (IFX) in Acute Severe Ulcerative Colitis (ASUC) is unknown. We compared intensified and standard dose IFX strategies in ASUC.

Methods: In this open-label randomised trial (NCT02770040), patients from 13 Australian centres with intravenous steroid-refractory ASUC were randomised to receive a first dose of 10mg/kg or 5mg/kg IFX in a 1:2 ratio. Patients in the 10mg/kg group (intensified induction [II]) received a second dose at day 7 or earlier at time of non-response; all 5mg/kg patients were re-randomised 1:1 to standard (SI) or accelerated induction (AI), which produced three induction groups: II, SI and AI. SI patients received 5mg/kg at week 0, 2 and 6, with an extra 5mg/kg dose before day 7 if non-response. AI patients received 5mg/kg at week 0, 1 and 3, with the week 1 dose increased to 10mg/kg and given earlier if non-response. Primary outcome: clinical response by day 7 (reduction in Lichtiger score to <10, with decrease of ≥3 points and improvement in rectal bleeding and stool frequency to ≤4/day). Secondary outcomes compared induction regimens until month 3. Analysis was by intention to treat.

Results: Between July 2016 & September 2021, 138 patients were randomised; 46 received a first IFX dose of 10mg/kg and 92 received 5mg/kg. Primary outcome: day 7 clinical response was observed in 65% (30/46) of 10mg/kg vs 61% (56/92) of 5mg/kg patients (P=0.76). In the 5mg/kg group, the rate of day 7 response was numerically lower in those with albumin <25g/L vs ≥25g/L [47% (15/32) vs 68% (41/60), P=0.07]. No difference in clinical response was observed in the 10mg/kg group when stratified by albumin [64% (9/14) vs 66% (21/32) P>0.99]. There was no difference in time to clinical response, change in Lichtiger score or CRP from baseline to day 7. Two patients who received 10mg/kg IFX underwent colectomy in the first 7 days vs 0 in the 5mg/kg group (P=0.21). Comparison of induction regimens (II, SI & AI): no difference in clinical remission rates between weeks 2 and 6 were observed. AI and II groups had higher rates of combined clinical and biochemical remission compared to SI between weeks 2 and 6 (P=0.042). At 3 months, there was no difference in rates of endoscopic and steroid-free remission, as well as rates of colectomy (II 7%; SI 12%; AI 19%, P=0.20).

Conclusion: In steroid-refractory ASUC, a first dose of 10mg/kg or 5mg/kg IFX achieved similar clinical response rates by day 7. Patients receiving intensified or accelerated induction achieved clinical and biochemical remission earlier compared to standard induction; however, outcomes at three months were similar. Patients with a lower albumin may benefit from proactive intensified dosing strategies.

Richard Brouwer

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