Ulcerative Colitis Induction Therapy with Vedolizumab

Medical Necessity and Clinical Efficacy

• The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) suggests using vedolizumab as a first-line biologic agent for induction of remission in patients with moderate-severe ulcerative colitis who are naïve to biologic agents 1, 3
• Vedolizumab has demonstrated significant efficacy for both induction and maintenance of remission in patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis 2
• The British Society of Gastroenterology recommends vedolizumab for induction and maintenance of remission in patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis 2
• In a head-to-head trial comparing vedolizumab vs adalimumab, clinical remission rates were significantly higher in vedolizumab-treated patients (34.2% vs 24.3%) 1
• For patients who have failed anti-TNF therapy, vedolizumab is strongly recommended to induce complete corticosteroid-free remission 4, 5

Monitoring and Assessment

• Patients should be evaluated for symptomatic response to vedolizumab induction therapy between 8 and 14 weeks to determine the need to modify therapy 6
• Continued therapy is recommended for patients who respond to induction to maintain remission 6