Infliximab (IFX) is a common treatment choice for Crohn’s disease (CD). Early identification of IFX responders is important for CD treatment in order to avoid long-term medication exposure with little benefit. The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine which early characteristics collected during the induction period might predict responsiveness to IFX throughout the maintenance period in pediatric CD. The medical records of all CD patients aged 2 to 18 years who received IFX at a tertiary IBD facility were reviewed retrospectively. The children were divided into three groups based on their reaction at week 14 (W14): (1) remission, (2) clinical response, or (3) no response. Logistic regression was used to examine the variables reported at W0, W2, and W6 that were related to remission at W14. At W14, 74.8 percent of the 111 patients were IFX responders, with 38.7 percent in clinical remission and 36 percent in partial clinical response. Clinical remission at W14 was linked with normal growth and albuminemia at baseline, as well as trough levels of IFX greater than 8.3 g/ml at week 6.
Trough values of IFX >8.3 g/ml at week 6 indicate luminal disease remission at W14.
Reference: https://journals.lww.com/jpgn/Fulltext/2020/03000/Trough_Levels_of_Infliximab_at_Week_6_Are.10.aspx
