*EMBARGOED All research presented at the 2021 ACG Annual Scientific Meeting and Postgraduate Course is strictly embargoed until Sunday, October 24, 2021, at 3:30 pm EDT.
Oral 65 Comparative Safety of Biologic Agents in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease with Active or Recent Malignancy: A Multi-Center Cohort Study
Author Insight from Ariela K. Holmer, MD, NYU Langone Health
What’s new here and important for clinicians?
Prior studies on the safety of biologics in IBD patients with a history of cancer have primarily focused on remote cancers. This study evaluates the comparative safety of non-TNFα agents versus TNFα antagonists in IBD patients with active cancer and recent cancer within 5 years of biologic or immunomodulator initiation. Out of 125 patients with active cancer, there was no difference in rates of cancer progression between patients exposed to non-TNFα agents, TNFα antagonists or immunomodulators. Out of 170 patients with recent cancer, there was no difference in rates of cancer recurrence between patients exposed to non-TNFα agents, TNFα antagonists, or immunomodulators. Ultimately, choice of biologic should be dictated by IBD disease severity and in discussion with an oncologist.
What do patients need to know?
There are options when choosing an IBD treatment plan in patients with a history of cancer. In this study, treatment with non-TNFα agents versus TNFα antagonists in patients with active or recent cancer have comparable safety. It is important to discuss your IBD treatment plan with both a gastroenterologist and oncologist.
Author Contact
Ariela K. Holmer, MD, NYU Langone Health
ariela [dot] holmer [at] nyulangone [dot] org
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