Real-world outcomes of subcutaneous infliximab in a Middle Eastern inflammatory bowel disease cohort: a prospective study of switch and de novo treatment strategies.

What To Know

Study: Prospective observational cohort from the United Arab Emirates evaluating subcutaneous (SC) infliximab in adult IBD patients enrolled as switchers (stable IV infliximab → SC 120 mg or 240 mg every 2 weeks) or new starters (SC 120 mg Q2W after IV induction). Median follow-up ~10 months.

Key reported findings: high clinical remission rates post-switch (≈91%) and post-induction for new starters (88%); significant increases in trough infliximab concentrations after switching, improvements in CRP, albumin, and fecal calprotectin among new starters, 28% of new starters required dose intensification, and >92% 12-month drug persistence.

What this means: The abstract reports that SC infliximab delivered robust drug exposure and durable treatment persistence in this Middle Eastern cohort, both when used to switch stable IV-treated patients and as de novo maintenance after induction.

Pharmacokinetic markers (trough levels) and inflammatory biomarkers (CRP, fecal calprotectin, albumin) were used to track response. Practical takeaways: For people already doing well on IV infliximab, switching to an approved SC infliximab formulation may maintain remission and increase trough levels according to this cohort.

For new starters, most achieved remission after induction but some needed dose escalation. These observations are from a non-randomized, real-world cohort and reflect local practice and dosing regimens described in the abstract.