First- and Second-Line Pharmacotherapies for Patients With Moderate to Severely Active Ulcerative Colitis: An Updated Network Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background & Aims: We compared the efficacy and safety of different first-line (biologic-naïve) and second-line (prior exposure to tumor necrosis factor [TNF] antagonists) agents for treatment of moderate to severely active ulcerative colitis in a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Methods: We searched publication databases through September 30, 2019 for randomized trials of adults with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis treated with TNF antagonists, vedolizumab, tofacitinib, or ustekinumab, as first-line or second-line agents, compared with placebo or another active agent. Efficacy outcomes were induction and maintenance of remission and endoscopic improvement; safety outcomes were serious adverse events and infections. We performed fixed-effects network meta-analysis using frequentist approach, and calculated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CI values. Agents were ranked using surface under the cumulative ranking (SUCRA) probabilities. Results: In biologic-naïve patients, infliximab was ranked highest for induction of clinical remission (OR vs placebo, 4.07; 95% CI, 2.67–6.21; SUCRA,0.95) and endoscopic improvement (SUCRA, 0.95) (moderate confidence in estimates [CE]). In patients with prior exposure to TNF antagonists, ustekinumab (SUCRA,0.87) and tofacitinib (SUCRA,0.87) were ranked highest for induction of clinical remission and were superior to vedolizumab (OR vs ustekinumab, 5.99; 95% CI, 1.13–31.76 and OR vs tofacitinib, 6.18; 95% CI, 1.003–8.00; moderate CE) and adalimumab (OR vs ustekinumab, 10.71; 95% CI, 2.01–57.20 and OR vs tofacitinib, 11.05; 95% CI, 1.79–68.41; moderate CE). Vedolizumab had lowest risk of infections (SUCRA, 0.81), followed by ustekinumab (SUCRA, 0.63) in maintenance trials. Conclusions: In a systematic review and network meta-analysis, we found infliximab to be ranked highest in biologic-naïve patients, and ustekinumab and tofacitinib were ranked highest in patients with prior exposure to TNF antagonists, for induction of remission and endoscopic improvement in patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis. More trials of direct comparisons are needed to inform clinical decision-making with greater confidence.