First Head-to-Head Trial of Biologics for Ulcerative Colitis

Although anti–tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents and anti-integrins are FDA approved for treatment of ulcerative colitis, no head-to-head trials have been conducted to determine possible superiority of one agent to another. Recently, an industry-funded, phase IIIb, double-blind, randomized trial was conducted in 34 countries to compare vedolizumab with adalimumab in adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis. Standard dosing of vedolizumab and adalimumab were used, with no dose escalation permitted in either group.

Among the 769 participants, clinical remission at week 52 (the primary outcome) was more frequently achieved in the vedolizumab group compared with the adalimumab group (31.3% vs. 22.5%); endoscopic improvement a…