Pharmacodynamic assessment of vedolizumab for the treatment of ulcerative colitis

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Vedolizumab is an anti-integrin approved for the treatment of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. By binding the α4β7-integrin heterodimer, vedolizumab blocks leukocyte translocation into gastrointestinal tissue.

Areas covered: This review discusses the chemistry, pharmacologic properties, clinical efficacy, and safety of vedolizumab in ulcerative colitis. Other medications available for the treatment of ulcerative colitis are also discussed.

Expert opinion: Vedolizumab is a promising new agent for the treatment of ulcerative colitis. Its mechanism of action differs from TNF-α inhibitors and immune suppressants, allowing it to be used in cases of TNF-α inhibitor failure or non-response, or as a first-line biologic drug. Available safety data suggests that vedolizumab is not associated with an increased risk of infection or malignancy; however, additional post-marketing data are required to confirm these initial reports. Vedolizumab is likely to be used in growing numbers of patients over the coming years.

KEYWORDS:

• Anti-integrin
• inflammatory bowel disease
• ulcerative colitis
• vedolizumab

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Declaration of interests

This work was supported by AHRQ grant R01 HS-018975 to RK Cross and NIH grant P30 DK0-090868 to LP McLean. RK Cross has received an educational grant and income from consulting for Takeda. All authors contributed to the production of this work. No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.