Background: The evidence on the efficacy and safety of biosimilar infliximab (IFX) in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) is sparse. Methods: Consecutive IBD patients visiting our centre were included.
One cohort composed of prospectively followed patients who were switched from original to biosimilar IFX between January and March 2015. The second cohort included retrospectively assessed anti-tumor necrosis factor α-naïve patients who started therapy between January 2015 and January 2016.
Disease activity was assessed using standard clinical indices, endoscopic evaluation, and laboratory parameters (blood count, C-reactive protein (CRP) and fecal calprotectin (FC)). Trough levels and anti-drug antibodies (ATIs) were also measured.
Patients were evaluated 56 weeks (W56) after switch and at week 14 (W14) and week 46 (W46) in the naïve cohort. Conclusion: Switching of IBD patients from original to biosimilar IFX is effective and safe.