Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Normalization of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and fecal calprotectin (FCP) are suggested as intermediate treatment targets for Crohn's disease (CD). This analysis evaluates achievement of biomarker normalization and the relationship between improvements in biomarker concentrations and clinical and endoscopic outcomes among patients treated with risankizumab. METHODS: This post hoc analysis included patients with moderately to severely active CD and elevated baseline hs-CRP (>5 mg/L) or FCP (>250 µg/g) concentrations from the 12-week ADVANCE and MOTIVATE induction studies, and the 52-week FORTIFY maintenance study. We assessed the proportion of patients achieving biomarker normalization, defined as hs-CRP ≤5 mg/L and FCP ≤250 µg/g, and the association between achieving biomarker normalization and improved clinical and endoscopic outcomes. RESULTS: Among 748 patients with elevated baseline hs-CRP or FCP concentrations, higher proportions of patients treated with risankizumab vs placebo achieved normalization of hs-CRP (Week 12: placebo, 17.5%; risankizumab 600 mg, 48.5%; Week 52: placebo, 29.5%; risankizumab 180 mg, 45.2%; risankizumab 360 mg, 40.8%) and FCP (Week 12: placebo, 9.1%; risankizumab 600 mg, 26.0%; Week 52: placebo, 28.0%; risankizumab 180 mg, 43.0%; risankizumab 360 mg, 44.0%; nominal p < 0.05 vs placebo for all comparisons). Achievement of both clinical or endoscopic outcomes and improvement of biomarker concentrations occurred at higher rates among patients treated with risankizumab vs placebo, regardless of prior exposure to biologic therapies. CONCLUSIONS: Risankizumab treatment led to sustained normalization of inflammatory biomarkers with improved clinical and endoscopic results. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ADVANCE, NCT03105128; MOTIVATE, NCT03104413; FORTIFY, NCT03105102.