Back to the drawing board:Overview of the next generation of combination therapy for inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)is entering a potentially new era of combined therapeutics.Triantafillidis et al provide an insightful review of the current state of combination therapy,with a focus on the use of a combined biologic and immunomodulator,as well as emerging data on the future potential of dual-biologic therapy(DBT).While current evidence for DBT is limited,encouraging safety profiles and ongoing trials suggest a brighter future for this approach.The importance of controlled trials should be stressed in establishing new treatment paradigms.Ongoing prospective randomized trials of DBT and perhaps future combinations of biologics and small molecule therapies will hopefully guide the next generation of IBD care.

Discontinuation of therapy in inflammatory bowel disease: Current views

The timely introduction and adjustment of the appropriate drug in accordance with previously well-defined treatment goals is the foundation of the approach in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease(IBD).The therapeutic approach is still evolving in terms of the mechanism of action but also in terms of the possibility of maintaining remission.In patients with achieved long-term remission,the question of de-escalation or discontinuation of therapy arises,considering the possible side effects and economic burden of long-term therapy.For each of the drugs used in IBD(5-aminosalycaltes,immunomodulators,biological drugs,small molecules)there is a risk of relapse.Furthermore,studies show that more than 50%of patients who discontinue therapy will relapse.Based on the findings of large studies and meta-analysis,relapse of disease can be expected in about half of the patients after therapy withdrawal,in case of monotherapy with aminosalicylates,immunomodulators or biological therapy.However,longer relapse-free periods are recorded with withdrawal of medication in patients who had previously been on combination therapies immunomodulators and anti-tumor necrosis factor.It needs to be stressed that randomised clinical trials regarding withdrawal from medications are still lacking.Before making a decision on discontinuation of therapy,it is important to distinguish potential candidates and predictive factors for the possibility of disease relapse.Fecal calprotectin level has currently been identified as the strongest predictive factor for relapse.Several other predictive factors have also been identified,such as:High Crohn's disease activity index or Harvey Bradshaw index,younger age(<40 years),longer disease duration(>40 years),smoking,young age of disease onset,steroid use 6-12 months before cessation.An important factor in the decision to withdraw medication is the success of re-treatment with the same or other drugs.The decision to discontinue therapy must be based on individual approach,taking into account the severity,extension,and duration of the disease,the possibility of side adverse effects,the risk of relapse,and patient’s preferences.

MicroRNAs in inflammatory bowel disease:What do we know and what can we expect?

MicroRNAs(miRNAs),small non-coding RNAs composed of 18–24 nucleotides,are potent regulators of gene expression,contributing to the regulation of more than 30%of protein-coding genes.Considering that miRNAs are regulators of inflammatory pathways and the differentiation of intestinal epithelial cells,there is an interest in exploring their importance in inflammatory bowel disease(IBD).IBD is a chronic and multifactorial disease of the gastrointestinal tract;the main forms are Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.Several studies have investigated the dysregulated expression of miRNAs in IBD,demonstrating their important roles as regulators and potential biomarkers of this disease.This editorial presents what is known and what is expected regarding miRNAs in IBD.Although the important regulatory roles of miRNAs in IBD are clearly established,biomarkers for IBD that can be applied in clinical practice are lacking,emphasizing the importance of further studies.Discoveries regarding the influence of miRNAs on the inflammatory process and the exploration of their role in gene regulation are expected to provide a basis for the use of miRNAs not only as potent biomarkers in IBD but also as therapeutic targets for the control of inflammatory processes in personalized medicine.

Inpatient management of iron deficiency anemia in pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease: A single center experience

BACKGROUND Screening for iron deficiency anemia(IDA)is important in managing pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease(IBD).Concerns related to adverse reactions may contribute to a reluctance to prescribe intravenous(IV)iron to treat IDA in this population.AIM To track the efficacy and safety of IV iron therapy in treating IDA in pediatric IBD patients admitted to our center.METHODS A longitudinal observational cohort study was performed on 236 consecutive pediatric patients admitted to our tertiary IBD care center between September 2017 and December 2019.92 patients met study criteria for IDA,of which 57 received IV iron,17 received oral iron,and 18 were discharged prior to receiving iron therapy.RESULTS Patients treated with IV iron during their hospitalization experienced a significant increase of 1.9(±0.2)g/dL in mean(±SE)hemoglobin(Hb)concentration by the first ambulatory follow-up,compared to patients who received oral iron 0.8(±0.3)g/dL or no iron 0.8(±0.3)g/dL(P=0.03).One out of 57(1.8%)patients that received IV iron therapy experienced an adverse reaction.CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrate that treatment with IV iron therapy is safe and efficacious in improving Hb and iron levels in pediatric patients with IDA and active IBD.

Emerging role of dual biologic therapy for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease

Biologic agents have now been used in the management of inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)for many years where experience,expertise and confidence in their use has developed over time.In the United Kingdom,there are well established guidelines and recommendations for both single agent biologic treatments,and with combination therapy of a biologic agent with a small molecule agent in maintenance therapy.In recent times,there has been increasing interest and experience using dual biologic therapy(DBT)in IBD,primarily in difficult to treat and refractory cases with high disease burden.However,published data on use,experience and safety profiles is limited and large-scale studies remain low in number in this developing area.We therefore aim to present a summary and review of the available published data in this area to help us better understand the emerging role of DBT in IBD.

When combination therapy isn't working: Emerging therapies for the management of inflammatory bowel disease

Although antagonists of tumor necrosis factor have resulted in major therapeutic benefits in inflammatory bowel disease, the magnitude and durability of response are variable. Similar to previously available drugs such as 5-aminosalicylates and immunomodulators, the therapeutic effect is not universal leaving many people searching for options. The development of newer agents has benefited from advances in the understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease. Uncontrolled activation of the acquired immune system has an important role, and lymphocytes, cytokines, and adhesion molecules are broadly targeted for therapeutic intervention. There is increasing evidence of an important role of the innate immune system and the intestinal epithelium, and the therapeutic paradigm is also shifting from immunosuppression to the reinforcement of the intestinal barrier, and modification of the disease process. In this review, we explore the limitation of current therapy as well as mechanisms of actions of new drugs and the efficacy and adverse events from data from clinical trials.

Thiopurines are an independent risk factor for active tuberculosis in inflammatory bowel disease patients

The use of thiopurines is an independent risk factor for active tuberculosis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Nutritional status and nutritional therapy in inflammatory bowel diseases

Underweight and specific nutrient deficiencies are frequent in adult patients with inflammatory bowel disease(IBD).In addition,a significant number of children with IBD,especially Crohn's disease(CD) have impaired linear growth.Nutrition has an important role in the management of IBD.In adults with CD,enteral nutrition(EN) is effective in inducing clinical remission of IBD,although it is less efficient than corticosteroids.Exclusive EN is an established primary therapy for pediatric CD.Limited data suggests that EN is as efficient as corticosteroids for induction of remission.Additional advantages of nutritional therapy are control of inflammation,mucosal healing,positive benefits to growth and overall nutritional status with minimal adverse effects.The available evidence suggests that supplementary EN may be effective also for maintenance of remission in CD.More studies are needed to confirm these findings.However,EN supplementation could be considered as an alternative or as an adjunct to maintenance drug therapy in CD.EN does not have a primary therapeutic role in ulcerative colitis.Specific compositions of enteral dietselemental diets or diets containing specific components-were not shown to have any advantage over standard polymeric diets and their place in the treatment of CD or UC need further evaluation.Recent theories suggest that diet may be implicated in the etiology of IBD,however there are no proven dietary approaches to reduce the risk of developing IBD.

Treatment of inflammatory bowel disease:A review of medical therapy

Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are chronic inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. While a cure remains elusive, both can be treated with medications that induce and maintain remission. With the recent advent of therapies that inhibit tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha the overlap in medical therapies for UC and CD has become greater. Although 5-ASA agents have been a mainstay in the treatment of both CD and UC, the data for their efficacy in patients with CD, particularly as maintenance therapy, are equivocal. Antibiotics may have a limited role in the treatment of colonic CD. Steroids continue to be the first choice to treat active disease not responsive to other more conservative therapy; non- systemic steroids such as oral and rectal budesonide for ileal and right-sided CD and distal UC respectively are also effective in mild-moderate disease. 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) and its prodrug azathioprine are steroid-sparing immunomodulators effective in the maintenance of remission of both CD and UC, while methotrexate may be used in both induction and maintenance of CD. Infliximab and adalimumab are anti-TNF agents approved in the US and Europe for the treatment of Crohn's disease, and infliximab is also approved for the treatment of UC.

Diets, functional foods, and nutraceuticals as alternative therapies for inflammatory bowel disease: Present status and future trends

Inflammatory bowel disease(IBD) is a serious health concern among western societies. The disease is also on the rise in some East Asian countries and in Australia. Health professionals and dietitians around the world are facing an unprecedented challenge to prevent and control the increasing prevalence of IBD. The current therapeutic strategy that includes drugs and biological treatments is inefficient and are associated with adverse health consequences. In this context, the use of natural products is gaining worldwide attention. In vivo studies and clinical evidence suggest that wellplanned dietary regimens with specific nutrients can alleviate gastrointestinal inflammation by modulating inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α), interleukin 1(IL-1), IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-10. Alternatively, the avoidance of high-fat and highcarbohydrate diets is regarded as an effective tool to eliminate the causes of IBD. Many functional foods and bioactive components have received attention for showing strong therapeutic effects against IBD. Both animal and human studies suggest that bioactive functional foods can ameliorate IBD by downregulating the pro-inflammatory signaling pathways, such as nuclear factor κB, STAT1, STAT6, and pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, COX-2, TNF-α, and interferon γ. Therefore, functional foods and diets have the potential to alleviate IBD by modulating the underlying pathogenic mechanisms. Future comprehensive studies are needed to corroborate the potential roles of functional foods and diets in the prevention and control of IBD.

Stem cell therapy in inflammatory bowel disease: A promising therapeutic strategy?

Inflammatory bowel diseases are inflammatory, chronic and progressive diseases of the intestinal tract for which no curative treatment is available. Research in other fields with stem cells of different sources and with immunoregulatory cells(regulatory T-lymphocytes and dendritic T-cells) opens up new expectations for their use in these diseases. The goal for stem cell-based therapy is to provide a permanent cure. To achieve this, it will be necessary to obtain a cellular product, original or genetically modified, that has a high migration capacity and homes into the intestine, has high survival after transplantation, regulates the immune reaction while not being visible to the patient's immune system, and repairs the injured tissue.

Biological therapy for dermatological manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are the two forms of inflammatory bowel disease(IBD). The advent of biological drugs has significantly changed the management of these conditions. Skin manifestations are not uncommon in IBD. Among the reactive lesions(immunemediated extraintestinal manifestations), erythema nodosum(EN) and pyoderma gangrenosum(PG) are the two major cutaneous ills associated with IBD, while psoriasis is the dermatological comorbidity disease observed more often. In particular, in the last few years, anti-tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α agents have been successfully used to treat psoriasis, especially these kinds of lesions that may occur during the treatment with biological therapies. The entity of the paradoxical manifestations has been relatively under reported as most lesions are limited and a causal relationship with the treatment is often poorly understood. The reason for this apparent side-effect of the therapy still remains unclear. Although side effects may occur, their clinical benefits are undoubted. This article reviews the therapeutic effects of the two most widely used anti-TNF-α molecules, infliximab(a fusion protein dimer of the human TNF-α receptor) and adalimumab(a fully human monoclonal antibody to TNF-α), for the treatment of the major cutaneous manifestations associated with IBD(EN, PG and psoriasis).

Withdrawal of anti-tumour necrosis factor α therapy in inflammatory bowel disease

Anti-tumour necrosis factor α(anti-TNFα) therapy is an established treatment in inflammatory bowel disease.However, this treatment is associated with high costs and the possibility of severe adverse events representing a true challenge for patients, clinicians and health care systems.Consequently, a crucial question is raised namely if therapy can be stopped once remission is achieved and if so, how and in whom.Additionally, in a real-life clinical setting, discontinuation may also be considered for other reasons such as the patient's preference, pregnancy, social reasons as moving to countries or continents with less access, or different local policy or reimbursement.In contrast to initiation of anti-TNFα therapy guidelines regarding stopping of this treatment are missing.As a result, the decision of discontinuation is still a challenging aspect in the use of anti-TNFα therapy.Currently this is typically based on an estimated, case-by-case, benefit-risk ratio.This editorial is intended to provide an overview of recent data on this topic and shed light on the proposed drug withdrawal strategies.

Advances in nutritional therapy in inflammatory boweldiseases:Review

Inflammatory bowel diseases(IBD), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are chronic, life-long, and relapsing diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Currently, there are no complete cure possibilities, but combined pharmacological and nutritional therapy may induce remission of the disease. Malnutrition and specific nutritional deficiencies are frequent among IBD patients, so the majority of them need nutritional treatment, which not only improves the state of nutrition of the patients but has strong anti-inflammatory activity as well. Moreover, some nutrients, from early stages of life are suspected as triggering factors in the etiopathogenesis of IBD. Both parenteral and enteral nutrition is used in IBD therapy, but their practical utility in different populations and in different countries is not clearly established, and there are sometimes conflicting theories concerning the role of nutrition in IBD. This review presents the actual data from research studies on the influence of nutrition on the etiopathogenesis of IBD and the latest findings regarding its mechanisms of action. The use of both parenteral and enteral nutrition as therapeutic methods in induction and maintenance therapy in IBD treatment is also extensively discussed. Comparison of the latest research data, scientific theories concerning the role of nutrition in IBD, and different opinions about them are also presented and discussed. Additionally, some potential future perspectives for nutritional therapy are highlighted.

Gene and cell therapy based treatment strategies for inflammatory bowel diseases

Inflammatory bowel diseases(IBD)are a group of chronic inflammatory disorders most commonly affecting young adults.Currently available therapies can result in induction and maintenance of remission,but are not curative and have sometimes important side effects.Advances in basic research in IBD have provided new therapeutic opportunities to target the inflammatory process involved.Gene and cell therapy approaches are suitable to prevent inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract and show therefore potential in the treatment of IBD.In this review,we present the current progress in the field of both gene and cell therapy and future prospects in the context of IBD.Regarding gene therapy,we focus on viral vectors and their applications in preclinical models.The focus for cell therapy is on regulatory T lymphocytes and mesenchymal stromal cells,their potential for the treatment of IBD and the progress made in both preclinical models and clinical trials.

Cell membrane and bioactive factors derived from mesenchymal stromal cells: Cell-free based therapy for inflammatory bowel diseases

Inflammatory bowel diseases(IBD)are chronic inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract associated with multifactorial conditions such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.Although the underlying mechanisms of IBD remain unclear,growing evidence has shown that dysregulated immune system reactions in genetically susceptible individuals contribute to mucosal inflammation.However,conventional treatments have been effective in inducing remission of IBD but not in preventing the relapse of them.In this way,mesenchymal stromal cells(MSC)therapy has been recognized as a promising treatment for IBD due to their immunomodulatory properties,ability to differentiate into several tissues,and homing to inflammatory sites.Even so,literature is conflicted regarding the location and persistence of MSC in the body after transplantation.For this reason,recent studies have focused on the paracrine effect of the biofactors secreted by MSC,especially in relation to the immunomodulatory potential of soluble factors(cytokines,chemokines,and growth factors)and extracellular vehicles that are involved in cell communication and in the transfer of cellular material,such as proteins,lipids,and nucleic acids.Moreover,treatment with interferon-γ,tumor necrosis factor-α,and interleukin-1βcauses MSC to express immunomodulatory molecules that mediate the suppression via cell-contact dependent mechanisms.Taken together,we present an overview of the role of bioactive factors and cell membrane proteins derived from MSC as a cell-free therapy that can improve IBD treatment.

Impact of medical therapies on inflammatory bowel disease complication rate

Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are progressive diseases associated with a high risk of complications over time including strictures,fistulae,perianal complications,surgery,and colorectal cancer.Changing the natural history and avoiding evolution to a disabling disease should be the main goal of treatment.In recent studies,mucosal healing has been associated with longer-term remission and fewer complications.Conventional therapies with immunosuppressive drugs are able to induce mucosal healing in a minority of cases but their impact on disease progression appears modest.Higher rates of mucosal healing can be achieved with anti-tumor necrosis factor therapies that reduce the risk of relapse,surgery and hospitalization,and are associated with perianal fistulae closure.These drugs might be able to change the natural history of the disease mainly when introduced early in the course of the disease.Treatment strategy in inflammatory bowel diseases should thus be tailored according to the risk that each patient could develop disabling disease.

SARS-CoV-2 in inflammatory bowel disease population:Antibodies,disease and correlation with therapy

BACKGROUND Guidelines recommend to cease inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)biologic therapy during coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19).AIM To investigate severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)antibody positivity in an IBD cohort,COVID-19 disease severity and to evaluate the correlation with clinical/therapeutic variables.METHODS Prospective observational cohort study.IBD patients were tested for SARS-CoV-2 IgG.Data on COVID-19 disease,demographics/therapeutics and clinical features of the IBD population were collected.IgG≥7 was set for SARS-CoV-2 antibody positivity.Throat swab was performed in cases of IgG positivity.Correlations between antibody positivity or COVID-19 symptoms and therapeutic/clinical data were assessed.RESULTS In total,103 IBD patients were enrolled.Among them,18.4%had IgG≥7.Multivariate analysis of antibody positivity correlated only with IBD treatment.For IgG≥7,the odds ratio was 1.44 and 0.16 for azathioprine and mesalazine,respectively,vs biologic drugs(P=0.0157 between them).COVID-19 related symptoms were reported in 63%of patients with IgG positivity.All but one patient with COVID-19 symptoms did not require ceasing IBD treatment or hospitalization. IBDtreatment and body mass index correlated with COVID-19 disease development with symptoms.CONCLUSIONThe IBD population does not have a higher risk of severe COVID-19. The relative risk of havingSARS-CoV-2 antibodies and symptoms was higher for patients taking azathioprine, then biologictherapy and lastly mesalazine. None of the patients under biologic therapy developed severeCOVID-19.

Examining dietary interventions in Crohn’s disease

This editorial builds on the article by Shakhshir et al.We conducted an overview of evidence-based dietary interventions in adults with inflammatory bowel disease(IBD).In the IBD population,there may be a role for the Mediterranean diet due to its anti-inflammatory effects,long-term sustainability,and role in improving cardiovascular health.In active Crohn’s disease,the use of exclusive enteral nutrition,the Crohn’s disease exclusion diet,or the specific carbohydrate diet may be used as a short-term adjunct to medical therapy and may improve mucosal healing.The low-FODMAP diet can assist in reducing symptoms for patients without evidence of active bowel inflammation.As interest in nutritional therapy increases amongst clinicians and patients alike,it is integral that dietary therapies are understood and discussed in routine management of patients with IBD as part of holistic care,ideally through a multidisciplinary setting with involvement of experienced dietitians.This serves to improve clinician-patient engagement and reduce complications of IBD including micro and micronutrient deficiencies.

COVID-19 impact in Crohn’s disease patients submitted to autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

BACKGROUND Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is the virus responsible for coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),a disease that has been blamed for inducing or exacerbating symptoms in patients with autoimmune diseases.Crohn's disease(CD)is an inflammatory bowel disease that affects genetically susceptible patients who develop an abnormal mucosal immune response to the intestinal microbiota.Patients who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(HSCT)are considered at risk for COVID-19.AIM To describe for the first time the impact of COVID-19 in CD patients who had undergone autologous,non-myeloablative HSCT.METHODS In this descriptive study a series of 19 patients were diagnosed with positive COVID-19.For two patients there were reports of the occurrence of two infectious episodes.Parameters related to HSCT,such as time elapsed since the procedure,vaccination status,CD status before and after infection,and clinical manifestations resulting from COVID-19,were evaluated.RESULTS Among the patients with COVID-19,three,who underwent Auto HSCT less than six months ago,relapsed and one,in addition to the CD symptoms,started to present thyroid impairment with positive anti-TPO.Only one of the patients required hospitalization for five days to treat COVID-19 and remained in CD clinical remission.Nine patients reported late symptoms that may be related to COVID-19.There were no deaths,and a statistical evaluation of the series of COVID-19 patients compared to those who did not present any infectious episode did not identify significant differences regarding the analyzed parameters.CONCLUSION Despite the change in CD status in three patients and the presence of nine patients with late symptoms,we can conclude that there was no significant adverse impact concerning COVID-19 in the evaluated patients who underwent HSCT to treat CD.