HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

New therapies that are not TNF-a or Stellara knock offs

Support Forums
>
Crohn's Disease
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 10/25/2018 3:14 AM (GMT 0)
Has anyone read about treatments in late stage development that are not Stellara or Remicade copycats? My GI wants me to switch from Remi to Stellara. I've been on Remicade / Mercaptopurine combo therapy a little over 3 years. If I go to Stellara and it works for a few years, I'm trying to figure out if there will be anything coming in the pipeline to take it's place if it ceases to be effective. Qu Biologics program looks to be more than a few years out. I've not heard that Entyvio has been very effective against fistulizing perianal disease and ostomy induced colitis.

I reduced my Remicade infusions from 8 weeks to 6 weeks. We had the colonscopy just before this change was implemented. Wondering if it would be worth seeing if the 6 week period can get it under control before changing. She says the inflammation is severe. My Prometheus test on the Remi shows no antibodies.

Thanks for your ideas / thoughts!
Posted 10/25/2018 3:19 AM (GMT 0)
What were your trough levels of Remicade when they ran the test to check for antibodies?

How long did you try Humira before switching to Remicade?

There are multiple new meds in the pipeline that should get approval in the coming few years.
Posted 10/25/2018 5:53 AM (GMT 0)
I never received a copy of the test. The lab sent it to the doctor but neither one posted the test result in the my chart page. I'll try to call them and see if I can get a hold of someone to do that.

I think I was on Humira about a year. My GI believed (he has moved away) that Remicade delivers more of the TNFa inhibitor than Humira and thus patients have better success with it. He also believed at that time the Remicade was the most effective drug for perianal disease, but Stellara was just coming on the market back then.

Are those new meds using different mechanisms? Is there a way to search for phase 2/3 drugs or pending FDA?
Posted 10/25/2018 9:02 AM (GMT 0)
QUbiologics is certainly the first to come to mind. I think they just finished a phase 3 trial. You're likely right in thinking that it could still be a few years away, but it does seem very promising. There are other biologics currently available, Simponi, Cimzia. Also haven't heard many good reviews on Entyvio unfortunately. Is surgery a consideration?
Posted 10/25/2018 4:05 PM (GMT 0)
Anti-MAP therapy.
https://www.crohnsforum.com/showpost.php?p=1011407&postcount=128

You can get it off-label.
https://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?t=82362
Posted 10/25/2018 4:13 PM (GMT 0)
Just saw this: https://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?t=84366
Posted 10/26/2018 2:10 AM (GMT 0)
I’ve been taking Xeljanz off label for several years. Approved for arthritis in trials for CD and UC
Posted 10/26/2018 2:05 PM (GMT 0)
I am currently on Stelara and Azathioprine (previously was on Remicade, then Cimzia and then Humira). I was just talking with my doctor about what new drug therapies may be on the horizon. Sadly, there isn't anything she was bullish about (as most of the new drugs exclude fistulizing patients from trials). That being said, there aren't the same challenges with developing antibodies with Stelara as there are with Remicade, for example (which I developed a reaction to over time).

If you are looking at targeted/surgical treatments, definitely look into stem cell therapy. I am currently in a trial at Mayo for the treatment of fistulas using stem cells and research outside the U.S. has shown encouraging results.
Posted 10/27/2018 12:49 AM (GMT 0)
I applied for the Mayo stem cell treatment a couple years ago, but my fistula's were not the right type for the Gore fistula plug. However, because of my pursuit of that trial, my GI made contacts and is looking at bringing a different stem cell trial to our hospital/clinic (OHSU) in Portland. So it might work out without all airline miles! I am a big fan of that technique for treating fistula's. I hope that's a big win for you over there at Mayo!
Posted 10/27/2018 12:50 AM (GMT 0)
Does Stelara work as well for you as the TNFa treatments?
Posted 10/27/2018 2:12 AM (GMT 0)
I would definitely keep checking in. It is likely the first trial with the plug has not worked for me (but likely has improved things). They are working on at least one new trial that involves donor stem cells and direct injections. I believe the requirements may be different/less restrictive potentially.

I will likely roll into a new trial in a few months (more frequent flyer miles) and am remaining hopeful. The Stelara/Aza mix has seemed to keep things stable for me (no new fistulas so far) so hopefully that will stay the same and this approach can get me across the finish line (which, for me, would be reversing my temp ileo).

Best to you.
Posted 10/31/2018 11:59 AM (GMT 0)

Hal Gunn said...
Hello,

Thank you for your continuous interest in Qu Biologic's investigational treatment QBECO Site Specific Immunomodulator (SSI). I would like to provide an update on RESTORE, our ongoing phase 2 clinical trial.

• Currently enrolling patients with moderate-to-severe Crohn’s disease

• The study will enroll a total of 20 participants in 3 sites located in Vancouver, BC; New Westminster, BC and Hamilton, ON.

• The study is open-label meaning that everyone receives QBECO investigational treatment for 52 weeks.

• Study related travel will be paid for by Qu Biologics and the study investigational drug, QBECO, and procedures are provided at no cost to participants.

• Anyone who is interested in joining the RESTORE study is invited to find out if they may be eligible by filling out a simple questionnaire at www.restoretrial.ca. Specific questions about RESTORE can be directed to the study’s recruitment nurse Andrea Cameron by email ([email protected]) or phone (1-877-223-8637).

Best wishes!

https://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?p=1014347#post1014347
Posted 11/2/2018 2:36 AM (GMT 0)
Phase 2 Stage 1 is Canada only. Phase 2 Stage 2 will include the USA. The FAQ says they are not allowing ostomy patients. Does the video say anything about a change in these plans?
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply