Symptom Response Dynamics for Personalised Therapy with Subcutaneous Infliximab in Crohn's Disease: Insights from the Randomised, Placebo-Controlled, Phase 3 LIBERTY-CD Trial.

INTRODUCTION

The LIBERTY-CD study demonstrated superior efficacy of subcutaneous infliximab-dyyb over placebo for maintenance therapy in patients with Crohn's disease. This post hoc analysis characterised subgroups of patients with different response levels to subcutaneous infliximab.

METHODS

Group-based trajectory modelling was conducted to deconvolute cohort-level data into individual response trajectories based on longitudinal patient-reported outcomes. Potential predictors of subcutaneous infliximab response were explored using multivariable analyses. Subgroups were compared for clinical, endoscopic, biochemical, and health-related quality of life outcomes; comprehensive disease control (achieving composite endpoints) at week 54; pre-dose serum infliximab levels; and safety.

RESULTS

Four distinct subgroups of patients were identified: super-responders (rapid and high sustained improvement); fast responders; slow responders; and limited responders (partial improvement). In multivariable analyses, lower baseline body mass index (p = 0.022) and pre-dose serum infliximab levels ≥ 14 μg/ml at week 10 (p = 0.003) were associated with a super-response. At week 54, super-responders showed the highest rates of clinical remission (80.3%; p = 0.002), endoscopic response (63.9%; p = 0.009), health-related quality of life remission (72.1%; p = 0.0002), corticosteroid-free remission (59.1%; p = 0.007), and comprehensive disease control achievement (27.9%; p = 0.014) versus other trajectories. Among groups, super-responders maintained the highest pre-dose serum infliximab levels from week 10. Comparable overall safety profiles were observed across groups.

CONCLUSION

Distinct subpopulations with varying responses to infliximab were identified by group-based trajectory modelling using longitudinal symptom data, which may support the development of personalised therapy. Super-responders with rapid and sustained improvements during infliximab therapy were more likely to achieve desirable long-term outcomes.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials. gov identifier, NCT03945019 (08 May 2019).