In this study, levels of CRP did not change significantly between weeks 0 and 16 among either responders or nonresponders. In contrast, fecal calprotectin levels dropped rapidly and significantly over time only in responders. Median fecal calprotectin levels were 1,612 mcg/g of stools at week 0 versus 374 mcg/g at week 4 and 339 mcg/g at week 8. The finding “confirms the value of this biomarker, as previously shown in inflammatory bowel disease with anti–tumor necrosis factor,” the researchers wrote.
The investigators did not acknowledge external funding sources. Dr. Soufflet reported having no conflicts of interest. The senior author and three coinvestigators disclosed ties to MSD, AbbVie, Tillots, and several other pharmaceutical companies.
Learn more about therapeutic drug monitoring in IBD by reviewing the AGA Institute guideline at http://www.gastrojournal.org/article/S0016-5085(17)35963-2/fulltext.
SOURCE: Soufflet N et al. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2019 Mar 6. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2019.02.042. https://www.cghjournal.org/article/S1542-3565(19)30248-4/abstract
