BACKGROUND: There are scarce data available on upadacitinib in children with Crohn's disease (CD). AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of upadacitinib as an induction therapy in paediatric CD. METHODS: This was a multicentre retrospective study between 2022 and 2024 of children treated with upadacitinib for induction of remission of active CD conducted in 30 centres worldwide affiliated with the IBD Interest and Porto group of the ESPGHAN. We recorded demographic, clinical and laboratory data and adverse events (AEs) at week 8 post-induction. The analysis of the primary outcome was based upon the intention-to-treat (ITT) principle. RESULTS: We included 100 children (median age 15.8 [interquartile range 14.3-17.2]). All were previously treated with biologic therapies including 89 with ≥ 2 biologics. At the end of the 8-week induction period, we observed clinical response, clinical remission and corticosteroid- and exclusive enteral nutrition-free clinical remission (CFR) in 75%, 56% and 52%, respectively. By the end of induction, 68% had achieved normalisation of C-reactive protein, and 58% had faecal calprotectin (FC) < 150 mcg/g. There was combined CFR and FC remission in 13/31 children with available data at 8 weeks (13% of the ITT population). AEs were recorded in 24 children; the most frequent was acne in 12. Two AEs (severe acne and hypertriglyceridemia) led to discontinuation of therapy. CONCLUSION: Upadacitinib is an effective induction therapy for refractory paediatric CD. Efficacy should be weighed against the potential risks of AEs.

• MeSH
• Crohnova nemoc * farmakoterapie   MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• heterocyklické sloučeniny tricyklické * terapeutické užití   MeSH
• indukce remise * metody   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• retrospektivní studie MeSH
• výsledek terapie MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• multicentrická studie MeSH

OBJECTIVES: Escalation of the ustekinumab (UST) maintenance dosage was effective in adults with Crohn disease (CD), but no data are available for children. We evaluated the effectiveness and safety of dose escalation of UST in pediatric CD. METHODS: This was a retrospective multicenter study from 25 centers affiliated with the IBD Interest and Porto groups of ESPGHAN. We included children with CD who initiated UST at a standard dosing and underwent either dose escalation to intervals shorter than 8 weeks or re-induction of UST due to active disease. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, endoscopic, imaging, and safety data were collected up to 12 months of follow-up. RESULTS: Sixty-nine children were included (median age 15.8 years, interquartile range 13.8-16.9) with median disease duration of 4.3 years (2.9-6.3). Most children were biologic (98.6%)- and immunomodulator (86.8%)- experienced. Clinical response and remission were observed at 3 months after UST escalation in 46 (67%) and 29 (42%) children, respectively. The strongest predictor for clinical remission was lower weighted Pediatric Crohn Disease Activity Index (wPCDAI) at escalation ( P = 0.001). The median C-reactive protein level decreased from 14 (3-28.03) to 5 (1.1-20.5) mg/L ( P = 0.012), and the fecal calprotectin level from 1100 (500-2300) to 515 (250-1469) μg/g ( P = 0.012) 3 months post-escalation. Endoscopic and transmural healing were achieved in 3 of 19 (16%) and 2 of 15 (13%) patients, respectively. Thirteen patients (18.8%) discontinued therapy due to active disease. No serious adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Two-thirds of children with active CD responded to dose escalation of UST. Milder disease activity may predict a favorable outcome following UST dose escalation.

• MeSH
• Crohnova nemoc * farmakoterapie   MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• hojení ran MeSH
• indukce remise MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• retrospektivní studie MeSH
• ustekinumab * škodlivé účinky   MeSH
• výsledek terapie MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• multicentrická studie MeSH