Biomedicines
Cure8 research brief
Why This Matters
Patients on biologic therapy often have drug levels and antidrug antibodies measured to guide care. This study suggests prior biologic history, disease type (UC vs CD) and which biologic is currently used may affect trough levels, though results are not definitive.
That could matter when interpreting therapeutic-drug-monitoring for treatment decisions.
Who Should Pay Attention
Patients on ustekinumab or vedolizumab, clinicians who manage biologic therapy and therapeutic-drug-monitoring, pediatric and adult IBD specialists, and researchers studying biologic pharmacokinetics and biomarkers.
Study Snapshot
Story typeResearch paper
Evidence typeResearch paper
Source depthJournal abstract
What To Know
This multicentre retrospective cohort measured trough drug levels (TRLs) and antidrug antibodies (ADAs) for ustekinumab (UST) and vedolizumab (VDZ) in 184 children and adults on routine care (2022–2025).
In exploratory time-to-event analyses, prior UST exposure and having ulcerative colitis were linked to higher hazard of suboptimal TRLs, while longer prior biologic duration and current VDZ treatment were linked to lower hazard.
However, when analysed cross-sectionally accounting for time on therapy, only longer duration of prior biologic therapy remained significantly associated with lower odds of suboptimal TRL; other associations were sensitive to model choice and adjustment for inflammatory burden.
The study also noted a possible association between prior UST exposure and presence of ADAs, but this estimate was imprecise and model-dependent. This is a retrospective analysis with a modest sample size and mixed pediatric/adult cohort. The authors describe the findings as preliminary and call for validation in larger prospective cohorts.
Keep In Mind
Findings come from a retrospective cross-sectional cohort with 184 patients and are sensitive to statistical model choice and adjustment for inflammation. The authors caution the results are preliminary and require validation in larger prospective studies.
Source Details
Review the original publication for the complete reporting, methods, and context.
Research paper
Evidence type derived from source or registry metadata.
PublicationBiomedicines
PublisherMDPI AG
AuthorsPetra Nagypál, Krisztián Kovács, Barna Vásárhelyi +9 more
Study typeJournal Article
Indexed viaCrossref
Source typeResearch paper
PublishedOct 14, 2026, 12:00 AM
Content availableJournal abstract
This Cure8 brief is based on source text from the linked article. Cure8 is informational only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Switching Between Anti-TNFs and Other Biologic Drugs in Paediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Narrative Review and Practical Clinical Guide.
Switching biologics is a frequent and consequential decision in children with IBD; using TDM and a mechanism‑based approach can help choose whether to optimize, switch within class, or change drug class.
Digestive and liver disease : official journal of the Italian Society of Gastroenterology and the Italian Association for the Study of the Liver
Adherence to advanced therapies in inflammatory bowel diseases: Real-world rates and predictors of non-adherence.
Adherence affects how well advanced IBD treatments work. Knowing which drug forms and patient factors link to missed doses can help patients and clinicians plan support strategies.
Patterns and factors associated with dose escalation during maintenance treatment for inflammatory bowel disease: a population-based cohort study.
Dose increases are common during IBD maintenance and vary a lot by drug and patient profile. Knowing which treatments and patient factors are linked to escalation can help patients and clinicians plan monitoring and...