A proportion of patients with Crohn’s disease can safely extend the interval between 2 administrations of adalimumab under the guidance of a physician; the remedy then continues to work almost as well. The study results have been published in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology.
The TNF-alpha inhibitor adalimumab has been used for some time in Crohn’s disease. At the standard dose (40 mg every 2 weeks, subcutaneously), intestinal flare-ups do not occur in 85-90% of patients. Until now it was unknown what would happen if patients took the drug less often.
Erasmus MC and Radboudumc therefore conducted an RCT to find out. 174 patients with stable disease activity were randomized to 40 mg adalimumab every 4 weeks or standard of care. The disease appeared to be controlled at the longer interval in most patients and flared up more often than with standard treatment in only a small proportion of them. The researchers therefore conclude that patients can consider extending the time between doses under the guidance of their own doctor.
Fewer syringes have the advantage that patients get infections less often, have less pain at the injection site and are less often reminded of their illness. In addition, reducing the drug saves a lot of costs.
Sources:
Erasmus MC
Radboudumc