Biosimilar infliximab versus originator in Crohn’s disease anti-TNF-α naïve and non-naïve patients

Introduction
Data comparing response to originator and biosimilar infliximab in anti-TNF-α naïve and non-naïve Crohn’s disease patients is limited.

Aim
To assess the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of a biosimilar infliximab in comparison to the originator drug in anti-TNF-α naïve and non-naïve Crohn’s disease patients. Data comparing response in those two groups of patients are limited.

Material and methods
This retrospective single-centre study enrolled 168 adult Crohn’s disease patients treated for one year with infliximab originator or biosimilar. Assessment included achievement of clinical remission (during induction and maintenance therapy and follow-up period – 24 months) and occurrence of adverse events.

Results
Forty-seven patients taking infliximab and 68 on biosimilar were anti-TNF-α naïve. There were no differences in clinical remission rate between naïve and non-naïve patients after 1 year of treatment (infliximab – 80.9% and 73.1%, respectively; biosimilar – 79.4% and 74.1%, respectively). The relapse rate during the follow-up period was higher in anti-TNF-α non-naïve patients (p < 0.001) with no significant differences between two groups. Adverse events were more common in anti-TNF-α non-naïve patients with no difference between infliximab and biosimilar groups (13.3% vs. 17.6%, respectively). The infliximab group of anti-TNF-α naïve patients had a higher rate of adverse events compared to the biosimilar (8.1% vs. 1.9%), but it did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusions
This is a study comparing anti-TNF-α naïve and non-naïve patients with Crohn’s disease. Relapse rate during follow-up was significantly higher in anti-TNF-α non-naïve patients, but with no significant differences between originator and biosimilar.