INTRODUCTION Fecal calprotectin (Fcal) is a non-invasive, inexpensive biomarker of disease activity. However, patient compliance with this test is variable and incompletely described. We assessed compliance rates with Fcal tests and identified factors associated with non-compliance. METHODS A retrospective chart review of patients with IBD who had a Fcal test ordered through our center between August 2021 and December 2021 was conducted. Demographic, clinical, disease, and test-related information were recorded. Patients with incomplete Fcal orders were sent a survey to better understand their reasons for non- compliance. Simple statistical analysis, multivariable logistic regression, and Bayesian Factor Analysis were performed. RESULTS Of 303 patients, 165 (54.4%) had an order for Fcal. Of the Fcal tests ordered, 55 (33.3%) were not completed. Remission of IBD, no prior Fcal completion, and tests ordered at a distant site were all associated with test non-completion. A multivariable logistic regression revealed that history of a prior completed Fcal test is associated with subsequent test completion (OR = 8.3, 95% CI 1.9-35.5, p = 0.004). Patients who did not complete the test described the pandemic and third-party testing center issues as the most common reasons for non-compliance. CONCLUSIONS In this single center experience with Fcal testing in patients with IBD, we identified that a history of incomplete Fcal testing and distant location of the lab are significantly associated with non- completion of the test. We provide practical guidance for future utilization and compliance, including the impact of home-based testing.

Background Upadacitinib (upa) is a novel selective JAK-1 inhibitor that has demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of moderate to severe ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD) and has received regulatory approval for UC. We report a large prospective real-world experience with upa in patients with UC. Methods We performed a prospective analysis of clinical outcomes during upa therapy in patients with UC using pre-determined follow-up intervals at weeks 0, 2, 4, and 8 as part of a formalized treatment protocol. We used the Simplified Clinical Colitis Activity Index (SCCAI), C-reactive protein (CRP) and fecal calprotectin (FCP). Clinically active disease was defined as SCCAI ≥ 3. Clinical response was defined as a decrease of ≥ 3 points from baseline SCCAI. Clinical remission was defined as SCAAI < 3. Corticosteroid free clinical remission (CSFR) was defined as those in clinical remission, not taking systemic corticosteroid at the specific time point. CRP normalization was defined as baseline elevated and then within the normal range for the lab used (Quest Diagnostics (Secaucus, New Jersey) ≤8 mg/L or UChicago Medicine ≤5 mg/L). FCP response and remission was assessed at three different cutoffs: less than 250 μg/g, 150 μg/g, and 50μg/g. Adverse events were recorded as treatment-related adverse events (AE) and serious adverse events (SAE). Results 55 patients with UC received ≥4 weeks of upa (Table 1). 100% had previously received anti-TNF therapy and 81.8% had received ≥2 advanced therapies (biologic, small molecule, calcineurin-inhibitor). At 4 and 8 weeks of treatment, 18/22 (81.8%) and 19/21 (90.5%) achieved clinical response and 17/22 (77.3%) and 17/21 (81.0%) achieved clinical remission, respectively (Table 2). Of those who were on steroids at baseline, 100% (7 of 7) achieved CSFR. Results were seen as early as week 2 with clinical remission rates of 36.0%. Mean SCCAI decreased from 5.3 (SD 3.6) at week 0 to 1.71 (SD 3.96) at week 8 (p = <0.0001, Figure 1). Mean FCP decreased from 1028.5 (SD 1291) μg/g at week 0 to 530.2 (SD 715.1) μg/g (p = 0.0881). Of those with FCP >150 μg/g at baseline, 33.3% (2/6) achieved FCP <150 μg/g by week 8 (Table 2). Mean CRP (mg/L) decreased from 5.1 (SD 5.0) mg/L at week 0 to 2.5 (SD 3.3) mg/L at week 8. Of those with CRP >5 at week 0, 60% (3/5) achieved CRP <5 by week 8 (Table 2). 30.9% of patients had an AE after starting upa (Table 3). The most common of these was acne (23.6%). Two AEs led to discontinuation. There were no SAEs. Conclusion In this large prospective real-world experience in medically-resistant patients with UC, we describe that upadacitinib is rapidly effective and safe, with remission rates that exceed those seen in the pivotal trial.

Background The development and availability of Janus kinus inhibitors (JAKinibs) for moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) provides new therapeutic options with both novel mechanisms and unique pharmacodynamic benefits. Tofacitinib (tofa) is a non-selective pan-JAKinib that received FDA approval for UC in 2018 and upadacitinib (upa) is a JAK-1 selective inhibitor, that received FDA approval for UC in 2022. It is unknown whether patients who do not respond to tofa will subsequently respond to upa. We report our real-world experience with upa in UC patients with primary or secondary non-response to tofa. Methods We performed a prospective analysis of clinical outcomes on upa in patients with UC and Crohn’s disease (CD) using pre-determined intervals at weeks 0, 2, 4, and 8 as part of a formalized treatment protocol at our institution. We used the SCCAI and HBI, as well as CRP and fecal calprotectin (FCP) to assess efficacy and recorded treatment-related adverse events and serious adverse events (AEs). Here we report our experience in patients treated with upa who have been previously treated with tofa. Results 26 patients (18=UC, 8=CD) with primary or secondary non-response to tofa received upa. (Table 1) In addition to tofa, all of these patients failed at least two biologics prior to upa treatment. In UC: by week 2 60% (6/10) achieved clinical response, and 40% (4/10) achieved clinical remission. By week 4 87.5% (7/8) achieved clinical remission, and 87.5% (6/8) achieved steroid-free remission; FCP decreased by a mean of 649.2 μg/g from baseline (+/- 772.7). At week 8: 100% (8/8) of patients achieved clinical response, 87.5% (7/8) achieved clinical remission, and of all of these (7/7) achieved steroid-free remission; FCP decreased by a mean of 180 μg/g (+/- 721.8) from baseline. One patient had follow-up to week 12 and continued to be in steroid-free remission. (Table 2) In CD: by week 2 2 of 2 patients achieved clinical remission, by week 4 3 of 3 were in clinical remission, 2 of 3 achieved steroid-free remission, and one patient had follow-up to week 8 and he remained in steroid-free remission. (Table 2). 6 patients experienced AEs, with the most common being acne (19.2%). No infections, MACE, or VTE occurred. Conclusion In this prospective real-world experience in medically-resistant patients with UC and CD who previously failed treatment with tofa and at least two biologics, we describe that upa is rapidly effective, inducing both clinical, steroid-free, and biochemical remission with no serious AEs.

Background Upadacitinib (upa) is a novel selective JAK-1 inhibitor that has demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of moderate to severe ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD) and has received regulatory approval for UC. We report our prospective real-world experience with upadacitinib in patients with CD. Methods We performed a prospective analysis of clinical outcomes during upa therapy in patients with CD using pre-determined follow-up intervals at weeks 0, 2, 4, and 8 as part of a formalized treatment evaluation protocol at our institution. We used the Harvey Bradshaw Index (HBI), C-reactive protein (CRP) and fecal calprotectin (FCP). Clinically active disease was defined as HBI ≥5. Clinical response was defined as a decrease of ≥ 3 points from baseline HBI. Clinical remission was defined as HBI <5. Corticosteroid free clinical remission (CSFR) was defined as those in clinical remission, not taking any form of systemic corticosteroid at the specific time point. CRP normalization was defined as baseline elevated and then within the normal range for the lab used (Quest Diagnostics (Secaucus, NewJersey) ≤8 mg/L or University of Chicago Medicine ≤5 mg/L). FCP response and remission was assessed at three different cutoffs: less than 250 μg/g, 150 μg/g, and 50μg/g. Adverse events were recorded as treatment-related adverse events (AE) and serious adverse events (SAE). Results 47 patients with CD received ≥4 weeks of upa (Table 1). 100% had previously received anti-TNF therapy and 93.6% had received ≥2 advanced therapies (biologic, small molecule, calcineurin-inhibitor). At weeks 4 and 8, 16/21 (76.2%) and 12/16 (75.0%) achieved clinical response and 14/21 (66.7%) and 11/16 (68.8%) achieved clinical remission by 8 weeks, respectively (Table 2). Of those who were on steroids at baseline, 100% (5/5) achieved CSFR. Results were seen as early as week 2 with clinical remission rates of 52.6%. Mean HBI decreased from 6.7 (SD 4.6) at week 0 to 3.5 (3.7) at week 8 (Figure 1). Mean FCP decreased by 707.0 (SD 1026.0) μg/g at week 0 to 74.6 (SD 56.2) μg/g at week 8. Of those with FCP >150 μg/g at baseline, 100% (4/4) achieved FCP <150 μg/g by week 8 (Table 2). Mean CRP decreased by 12.8 (SD 19.1) mg/L to 4.9 (SD 8.0) mg/L at week 8. Of those with CRP >5 mg/L at week 0, 80% (4/5) achieved CRP <5 mg/L by week 8 (Table 2). 23.4% of patients had an AE after starting upa (Table 3). The most common of these was acne (14.9%). Two AEs led to discontinuation and there was a single possible SAE (anemia which was also multifactorial from severely active Crohn's ileitis and vitamin B12 deficiency). Conclusion In this large, prospective real-world experience in medically-resistant patients with CD, we describe that upadacitinib is rapidly effective and safe.

Background Ozanimod is a first in class sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor modulator approved by the FDA for moderately-to-severely active ulcerative colitis (UC). Real world data describing use of ozanimod are limited. We provide one-year follow up results of our patient cohort treated with ozanimod. Methods This prospective, observational cohort study includes consecutive patients who initiated ozanimod at our center. We collected demographic, clinical, and laboratory data. Clinical disease activity was assessed using the Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index (SCCAI). Clinical response was defined as a decrease in ≥3 points in SCCAI from baseline with only patients with clinically active disease included in the analysis, and clinical remission was defined as an SCCAI score of ≤ 2. Results 47 patients have initiated ozanimod therapy at our center: 45 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), 1 patient with Crohn’s colitis and 1 patient with lymphocytic colitis. Only patients with UC were included in the effectiveness analysis. Demographics are in Table 1: in the UC cohort, the mean age was 40.6 ±16.6 years, mean disease duration was 9.6 ±9.2 years, 26 (58%) were male, 23 (51%) had extensive colitis, and 34 (76%) had previous advanced therapy exposure. 19 had baseline endoscopy with a mean Mayo endoscopic score of 2.6 ±0.5. Clinical response, remission, and corticosteroid free remission (CSFR) rates at weeks 2, 4, 10, 24, and 52 are in Figure 1. At week 10, follow-up was available for 41 patients: 18 patients (55%) achieved clinical response, 24 (59%) clinical remission, and 22 (54%) achieved CSFR. At week 52, follow-up was available for 30 patients: 5 (17%) achieved clinical response, 5 (17%) clinical remission, and 4 (13%) achieved CSFR. There were no significant differences between advanced therapy naïve and experienced patients, including when stratified by the number of previous advanced therapies or prior use of vedolizumab (Figures 2A+B and 3). Patients with a > 75% reduction in absolute lymphocytes had numerically greater induction clinical response and remission rates (80% vs 54%, p=0.4 and 75% vs 53%, p=0.4, respectively). 13 patients experienced adverse events (AEs): hypertension (n=2), transient nausea (n=2), fatigue (n=3), dry skin (n=2), transient liver enzyme elevation (n=2) and transient headache (n=3). Two AEs required discontinuation – hypertensive crisis in a patient with a prior dx of hypertension, and fatigue. There were no episodes of symptomatic bradycardia. Conclusion We present one-year real world follow-up of ozanimod in a largely treatment-refractory cohort of patients with UC, and describe modest one-year effectiveness and a safety profile that is not different from that described in the clinical trials.