Clinical gastroenterology and hepatology : the official clinical practice journal of the American Gastroenterological Association
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Clin. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. · Feb 2019
Multicenter Study Observational StudyEfficacy and Safety of Induction Therapy With Calcineurin Inhibitors in Combination With Vedolizumab in Patients With Refractory Ulcerative Colitis.
Vedolizumab is used to treat patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), although there is a delay before it is effective. Induction therapy with a calcineurin inhibitor (cyclosporine or tacrolimus) in combination with vedolizumab as maintenance therapy could be an option for patients with an active steroid-refractory UC. We assessed the efficacy and safety of this combination. ⋯ In a retrospective analysis of 39 patients with an active steroid-refractory UC (most refractory to a tumor necrosis factor antagonist), we found that initial treatment with a calcineurin inhibitor in combination with vedolizumab allowed more than two thirds of patients to avoid colectomy. Further studies are needed to assess the safety of this strategy.