Publications
56 results found
Alexander J, Posma J, Scott A, et al., 2023, Pathobionts in the tumour microbiota predict survival following resection for colorectal cancer, Microbiome, ISSN: 2049-2618
Alexander J, Powell N, Marchesi J, et al., 2023, Considerations for peripheral blood transport and storage during large-scale multicentre metabolome research, Gut, Pages: 1-4, ISSN: 0017-5749
Alexander JL, Mullish BH, Danckert NP, et al., 2023, The gut microbiota and metabolome are associated with diminished COVID-19 vaccine-induced antibody responses in immunosuppressed inflammatory bowel disease patients, EBioMedicine, Vol: 88, ISSN: 2352-3964
Background:Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treated with anti-TNF therapy exhibit attenuated humoral immune responses to vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. The gut microbiota and its functional metabolic output, which are perturbed in IBD, play an important role in shaping host immune responses. We explored whether the gut microbiota and metabolome could explain variation in anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination responses in immunosuppressed IBD patients.Methods:Faecal and serum samples were prospectively collected from infliximab-treated patients with IBD in the CLARITY-IBD study undergoing vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. Antibody responses were measured following two doses of either ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 or BNT162b2 vaccine. Patients were classified as having responses above or below the geometric mean of the wider CLARITY-IBD cohort. 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and bile acid profiling with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) were performed on faecal samples. Univariate, multivariable and correlation analyses were performed to determine gut microbial and metabolomic predictors of response to vaccination.Findings:Forty-three infliximab-treated patients with IBD were recruited (30 Crohn's disease, 12 ulcerative colitis, 1 IBD-unclassified; 26 with concomitant thiopurine therapy). Eight patients had evidence of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection. Seventeen patients (39.5%) had a serological response below the geometric mean. Gut microbiota diversity was lower in below average responders (p = 0.037). Bilophila abundance was associated with better serological response, while Streptococcus was associated with poorer response. The faecal metabolome was distinct between above and below average responders (OPLS-DA R2X 0.25, R2Y 0.26, Q2 0.15; CV-ANOVA p = 0.038). Trimethylamine, isobutyrate and omega-muricholic acid were associated with better response, while succinate, phenylalanine, taurolithoc
Liu Z, Le K, Zhou X, et al., 2023, Neutralising antibody potency against SARS-CoV-2 wild-type and Omicron BA.1 and BA.4/5 variants in infliximab and vedolizumab treated patients with inflammatory bowel disease after three doses of COVID-19 vaccine: a prospective multicentre cohort study (CLARITY), The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Vol: 8, Pages: 145-156, ISSN: 2468-1253
Background:Anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) drugs such as infliximab are associated with attenuated antibody responses after COVID-19 vaccination. It is unknown how infliximab impacts vaccine-induced serological responses against highly transmissible Omicron variants, which possess the ability to evade host immunity and are now the dominating variants causing current waves of infection. Methods:CLARITY IBD is a prospective, multicentre, observational cohort study investigating the impact of infliximab and vedolizumab on SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In the current work, the primary outcome was neutralising antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2 wild-type and Omicron BA.1 and BA.4/5 variants after three doses of COVID-19 vaccination in 1288 patients with IBD without prior COVID-19 infection, who were established on either infliximab (n=871) or vedolizumab (n=417). Cox proportional hazards models were constructed to investigate the risk of breakthrough infection in relation to neutralising antibody titres.Findings:Following three doses of COVID-19 vaccine, neutralising titre NT50 (half-inhibitory neutralising titre) was significantly diminished in patients treated with infliximab as compared to patients treated with vedolizumab, against wild-type (geometric mean [95% CI], 1990 [1781, 2223] vs 3212 [2780, 3712], p<0·0001), BA.1 (95·46 [82·80, 110·0] vs 599·1 [492·6, 728·6], p<0·0001) and BA.4/5 (30·73 [26·26, 35·96] vs 212·2 [177·0, 254·4], p<0·0001) variants. Breakthrough infection was significantly more frequent in patients treated with infliximab (13·66% [11·49%, 16·16%], 119/871) compared to patients treated with vedolizumab (6·95% [4·79%, 9·95%], 29/417, p=0·0004). Cox proportional hazards models of time to breakthrough infection after the third d
Liu Z, Alexander J, LIN K, et al., 2023, Infliximab and tofacitinib attenuate neutralizing antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2 ancestral and Omicron variants in IBD patients following 3 doses of COVID-19 vaccine, Gastroenterology, Vol: 164, Pages: 300-303.e3, ISSN: 0016-5085
Radhakrishnan ST, Gallagher KI, Mullish BH, et al., 2023, Rectal swabs as a viable alternative to faecal sampling for the analysis of gut microbiota functionality and composition, Scientific Reports, Vol: 13, Pages: 1-9, ISSN: 2045-2322
Faecal or biopsy samples are frequently used to analyse the gut microbiota, but issues remain with the provision and collection of such samples. Rectal swabs are widely-utilised in clinical practice and previous data demonstrate their potential role in microbiota analyses; however, studies to date have been heterogenous, and there are a particular lack of data concerning the utility of swabs for the analysis of the microbiota’s functionality and metabolome. We compared paired stool and rectal swab samples from healthy individuals to investigate whether rectal swabs are a reliable proxy for faecal sampling. There were no significant differences in key alpha and beta diversity measures between swab and faecal samples, and inter-subject variability was preserved. Additionally, no significant differences were demonstrated in abundance of major annotated phyla. Inferred gut functionality using Tax4Fun2 showed excellent correlation between the two sampling techniques (Pearson’s coefficient r = 0.9217, P < 0.0001). Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy enabled the detection of 20 metabolites, with overall excellent correlation identified between rectal swab and faecal samples for levels all metabolites collectively, although more variable degrees of association between swab and stool for levels of individual metabolites. These data support the utility of rectal swabs in both compositional and functional analyses of the gut microbiota.
Alexander J, Liu Z, Munoz Sandoval D, et al., 2022, COVID-19 vaccine-induced antibody and T cell responses in immunosuppressed patients with inflammatory bowel disease after the third vaccine dose: a multicentre, prospective, case-control study, The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Vol: 7, Pages: 1005-1015, ISSN: 2468-1253
Background:COVID-19 vaccine-induced antibody responses are reduced in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) taking anti-TNF or tofacitinib after two vaccine doses. We sought to determine whether immunosuppressive treatments were associated with reduced antibody and T cell responses after a third vaccine dose.Methods:352 adults (72 healthy controls and 280 IBD) were sampled 28-49 days after a third dose of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. IBD medications studied included thiopurines (n=65), infliximab (n=46), thiopurine/infliximab combination therapy (n=49), ustekinumab (n=44), vedolizumab (n=50) or tofacitinib (n=26). SARS-CoV-2 spike antibody binding and T cell responses were measured. Findings:Geometric mean [geometric SD] anti-S1 RBD antibody concentrations increased in all groups following a third dose, but were significantly lower in patients treated with infliximab (2736.8 U/mL [4.3]; P<0.0001), infliximab and thiopurine combination (1818.3 U/mL [6.7]; P<0.0001) and tofacitinib (8071.5 U/mL [3.1]; P=0.0018) compared to controls (16774.2 U/ml [2.6]). There were no significant differences in anti-S1 RBD antibody concentrations between control subjects and thiopurine (12019.7 U/mL [2.2]; P=0.099), ustekinumab (11089.3 U/mL [2.8]; P=0.060), nor vedolizumab treated patients (13564.9 U/mL [2.4]; P=0.27). In multivariable modelling, lower anti-S1 RBD antibody concentrations were independently associated with infliximab (Geometric mean ratio 0.15, 95% CI 0.11-0.21, P<0.0001), tofacitinib (0.52, 95% CI 0.31-0.87, P=0.012) and thiopurine (0.69, 95% CI 0.51-0.95, P=0.021), but not with ustekinumab (0.64, 95% CI 0.39-1.06, P=0.083), or vedolizumab (0.84, 95% CI 0.54-1.30, P=0.43). Previous SARS-CoV-2 infection (1.58, 95% CI 1.22-2.05, P=0.00056) and older age (0.88, 95% CI 0.80-0.97, P=0.0073) were independently associated with higher and lower anti-S1 antibody concentrations respectively. Antigen specific T cell responses were similar in all groups, except for reci
Mullish BH, Paizs P, Alexander J, et al., 2022, Intestinal microbiota transplant for recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection restores microbial arylsulfatases and sulfatide degradation: a novel mechanism of efficacy?, UEG Week 2022, Pages: 823-823
Alexander J, Powell N, Ibraheim H, et al., 2022, Oral Beclomethasone Dipropionate is an effective treatment for immune checkpoint inhibitor induced colitis, Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer, Vol: 10, Pages: 1-10, ISSN: 2051-1426
IntroductionSystemic corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment for immune checkpoint inhibitor induced (CPI) colitis but are associated with complications including life-threatening infection. The topically-acting oral corticosteroid beclomethasone dipropionate (BD) is an effective treatment for mild to moderate flares of ulcerative colitis, and has fewer side effects than systemic corticosteroids. We hypothesised that BD would be an effective treatment for CPI-induced colitis.MethodsWe performed a retrospective analysis of all patients who started BD for CPI-induced colitis at three UK cancer centres between November 2017 and October 2020. All patients underwent endoscopic assessment and biopsy. The initial regimen of BD was 5mg once daily for 28 days. Data were collected from electronic patient records. Clinical outcomes were assessed at 28 days after initiation of treatment.ResultsTwenty-two patients (fourteen male) with a median age of 64 (range 45-84) with CPI-induced colitis were treated with BD. At baseline, the median number of loose stools in a 24-hour period was six (CTCAE grade diarrhoea = 2). Thirteen patients (59%) were dependent on systemic corticosteroids prior to starting BD. Baseline sigmoidoscopy showed moderate inflammation (Mayo endoscopic score [MES] = 2) in two patients (9%), mild inflammation (MES = 1) in nine patients (41%) and normal findings (MES = 0) in eleven patients (50%). Twenty patients (91%) had histopathological features of inflammation. All 22 patients (100%) had a clinical response to BD and 21 (95%) achieved clinical remission with a return to baseline stool frequency (CTCAE diarrhoea = 0). 10 patients (45%) had symptomatic relapse on cessation of BD, half within seven days of stopping. All patients recaptured response on restarting BD. No adverse events were reported in patients treated with BD.ConclusionsTopical BD represents an appealing alternative option to systemic immunosuppressive treatments to treat colonic inflamma
Mullish BH, 2022, National clinical expert consensus statement: Coronavirus monoclonal antibodies as a prophylactic therapy against COVID-19 for immunocompromised groups
- Novel long-acting coronavirus prophylactic monoclonal antibodytherapies have been shown to be effective in preventing COVID19 in immunocompromised individuals who are at increased riskfrom SARS-CoV-2.- Prophylactic antibody therapies should be made available in atimely manner to give an antibody immunity boost to vulnerablepatients.- Real world evaluations should be co-implemented to provideconfidence of ongoing effectiveness.- Successful delivery of a coronavirus prophylactic antibodytherapy programme would deliver significant benefits tohealthcare systems, communities and immunocompromisedindividuals.
Alexander JL, Liu Z, Mūnoz Sandoval D, et al., 2022, COVID-19 vaccine-induced antibody and T cell responses in immunosuppressed patients with inflammatory bowel disease after the third vaccine dose, Publisher: SSRN
Background: COVID-19 vaccine-induced antibody responses are reduced in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) taking infliximab or tofacitinib after two vaccine doses. We sought to determine whether immunosuppressive treatments were associated with reduced antibody and T cell responses after a third vaccine dose. Methods: 352 adults (72 healthy controls and 280 IBD) from the prospectively recruited study cohort were sampled 28-49 days after a third dose of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. IBD medications studied included thiopurines (n=65), infliximab (n=46), thiopurine/infliximab combination therapy (n=49), ustekinumab (n=44), vedolizumab (n=50) or tofacitinib (n=26). SARS-CoV-2 spike antibody binding and T cell responses were measured. Findings: Geometric mean [geometric SD] anti-S1 RBD antibody concentrations increased in all study groups following a third dose of vaccine, but were significantly lower in patients treated with infliximab (2736.8 U/mL [4.3]; P<0.0001), infliximab and thiopurine combination (1818.3 U/mL [6.7]; P<0.0001) and tofacitinib (8071.5 U/mL [3.1]; P=0.0018) compared to controls (16774.2 U/ml [2.6]). There were no significant differences in anti-S1 RBD antibody concentrations between control subjects and thiopurine (12019.7 U/mL [2.2]; P=0.099), ustekinumab (11089.3 U/mL [2.8]; P=0.060), nor vedolizumab treated patients (13564.9 U/mL [2.4]; P=0.27). In multivariable modelling, lower anti-S1 RBD antibody concentrations were independently associated with infliximab (Geometric mean ratio 0.15, 95% CI 0.11-0.21, P<0.0001), tofacitinib (0.52, 95% CI 0.31-0.87, P=0.012) and thiopurine (0.69, 95% CI 0.51-0.95, P=0.021), but not with ustekinumab (0.64, 95% CI 0.39-1.06, P=0.083), or vedolizumab (0.84, 95% CI 0.54-1.30, P=0.43). Previous SARS-CoV-2 infection (1.58, 95% CI 1.22-2.05, P=0.00056) and older age (0.88, 95% CI 0.80-0.97, P=0.0073) were independently associated with higher and lower anti-S1 antibody concentrations respectively. However
Alexander J, Kennedy NA, Lees CW, et al., 2022, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination for patients with inflammatory bowel disease – Authors' reply, The Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Vol: 6, Pages: 523-524, ISSN: 2468-1253
Alexander JL, Mullish BH, Danckert NP, et al., 2022, The gut microbiota and metabolome is associated with diminished COVID-19 vaccine-induced antibody responses in immunosuppressed inflammatory bowel disease patients
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treated with anti-TNF therapy exhibit attenuated humoral immune responses to vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. The gut microbiota and its functional metabolic output, which are perturbed in IBD, play an important role in shaping host immune responses. We explored whether the gut microbiota and metabolome could explain variation in anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination responses in immunosuppressed IBD patients. Faecal and serum samples were prospectively collected from infliximab-treated patients with IBD in the CLARITY-IBD study undergoing vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. Antibody responses were measured following two doses of either ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 or BNT162b2 vaccine. Patients were classified as having responses above or below the geometric mean of the wider CLARITY-IBD cohort. 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and bile acid profiling with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) were performed on faecal samples. Univariate, multivariable and correlation analyses were performed to determine gut microbial and metabolomic predictors of response to vaccination. Forty-three infliximab-treated patients with IBD were recruited (30 Crohn’s disease, 12 ulcerative colitis, 1 IBD-unclassified; 26 with concomitant thiopurine therapy). Eight patients had evidence of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection. Seventeen patients (39.5%) had a serological response below the geometric mean. Gut microbiota diversity was lower in below average responders (p = 0.021). <jats:italic>Bilophila</jats:italic> abundance was associated with better serological response, while <jats:italic>Streptococcus</jats:italic> was associated with poorer response. The faecal metabolome was distinct between above and below average responders (OPLS-DA R<jats:sup>2</jats:sup>X 0.25, R&l
Powles STR, Gallagher KI, Chong LWL, et al., 2022, Effects of bowel preparation on intestinal bacterial associated urine and faecal metabolites and the associated faecal microbiome, BMC Gastroenterology, Vol: 22, Pages: 1-9, ISSN: 1471-230X
BackgroundUrinary and faecal metabolic profiling have been extensively studied in gastrointestinal diseases as potential diagnostic markers, and to enhance our understanding of the intestinal microbiome in the pathogenesis these conditions. The impact of bowel cleansing on the microbiome has been investigated in several studies, but limited to just one study on the faecal metabolome.AimTo compare the effects of bowel cleansing on the composition of the faecal microbiome, and the urine and faecal metabolome.MethodsUrine and faecal samples were obtained from eleven patients undergoing colonoscopy at baseline, and then at day 3 and week 6 after colonoscopy. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to analyse changes in the microbiome, and metabonomic analysis was performed using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy.ResultsMicrobiomic analysis demonstrated a reduction in alpha diversity (Shannon index) between samples taken at baseline and three days following bowel cleansing (p = 0.002), and there was no significant difference between samples at baseline and six weeks post colonoscopy. Targeted and non-targeted analysis of urinary and faecal bacterial associated metabolites showed no significant impact following bowel cleansing.ConclusionsBowel cleansing causes a temporary disturbance in bacterial alpha diversity measured in faeces, but no significant changes in the faecal and urine metabolic profiles, suggesting that overall the faecal microbiome and its associated metabolome is resistant to the effects of an induced osmotic diarrhoea.
Alexander JL, Kennedy N, Ibraheim H, et al., 2022, COVID-19 VACCINE-INDUCED ANTIBODY RESPONSES ARE IMPAIRED IN IBD PATIENTS TREATED WITH INFLIXIMAB, USTEKINUMAB OR TOFACITINIB, BUT NOT THIOPURINES OR VEDOLIZUMAB, Publisher: W B SAUNDERS CO-ELSEVIER INC
Alexander JL, Kennedy NA, Ibraheim H, et al., 2022, COVID-19 vaccine-induced antibody responses in immunosuppressed patients with inflammatory bowel disease (VIP): a multicentre, prospective, case-control study, The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Vol: 7, Pages: 342-352, ISSN: 2468-1253
BACKGROUND: The effects that therapies for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have on immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination are not yet fully known. Therefore, we sought to determine whether COVID-19 vaccine-induced antibody responses were altered in patients with IBD on commonly used immunosuppressive drugs. METHODS: In this multicentre, prospective, case-control study (VIP), we recruited adults with IBD treated with one of six different immunosuppressive treatment regimens (thiopurines, infliximab, a thiopurine plus infliximab, ustekinumab, vedolizumab, or tofacitinib) and healthy control participants from nine centres in the UK. Eligible participants were aged 18 years or older and had received two doses of COVID-19 vaccines (either ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 [Oxford-AstraZeneca], BNT162b2 [Pfizer-BioNTech], or mRNA1273 [Moderna]) 6-12 weeks apart (according to scheduling adopted in the UK). We measured antibody responses 53-92 days after a second vaccine dose using the Roche Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. The primary outcome was anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein antibody concentrations in participants without previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, adjusted by age and vaccine type, and was analysed by use of multivariable linear regression models. This study is registered in the ISRCTN Registry, ISRCTN13495664, and is ongoing. FINDINGS: Between May 31 and Nov 24, 2021, we recruited 483 participants, including patients with IBD being treated with thiopurines (n=78), infliximab (n=63), a thiopurine plus infliximab (n=72), ustekinumab (n=57), vedolizumab (n=62), or tofacitinib (n=30), and 121 healthy controls. We included 370 participants without evidence of previous infection in our primary analysis. Geometric mean anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein antibody concentrations were significantly lower in patients treated with infliximab (156·8 U/mL [geometric SD 5·7]; p<0·0001), infliximab plus thiopurine (111·1 U/mL [5·
Pavlidis P, Joshi D, El Sherif Y, et al., 2022, Faecal calprotectin is a surrogate marker of biliary inflammation in primary sclerosing cholangitis associated inflammatory bowel disease, FRONTLINE GASTROENTEROLOGY, ISSN: 2041-4137
Lin S, Kennedy NA, Saifuddin A, et al., 2022, Antibody decay, T cell immunity and breakthrough infections following two SARS-CoV-2 vaccine doses in inflammatory bowel disease patients treated with infliximab and vedolizumab, Nature Communications, Vol: 13, ISSN: 2041-1723
Anti tumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF) drugs increase the risk of serious respiratory infection and impair protective immunity following pneumococcal and influenza vaccination. Here we report SARS-CoV-2 vaccine-induced immune responses and breakthrough infections in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, who are treated either with the anti-TNF antibody, infliximab, or with vedolizumab targeting a gut-specific anti-integrin that does not impair systemic immunity. Geometric mean [SD] anti-S RBD antibody concentrations are lower and half-lives shorter in patients treated with infliximab than vedolizumab, following two doses of BNT162b2 (566.7 U/mL [6.2] vs 4555.3 U/mL [5.4], p <0.0001; 26.8 days [95% CI 26.2 – 27.5] vs 47.6 days [45.5 – 49.8], p <0.0001); similar results are also observed with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination (184.7 U/mL [5.0] vs 784.0 U/mL [3.5], p <0.0001; 35.9 days [34.9 – 36.8] vs 58.0 days [55.0 – 61.3], p value < 0.0001). One fifth of patients fail to mount a T cell response in both treatment groups. Breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infections are more frequent (5.8% (201/3441) vs 3.9% (66/1682), p = 0.0039) in patients treated with infliximab than vedolizumab, and the risk of breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infection is predicted by peak anti-S RBD antibody concentration after two vaccine doses. Irrespective of the treatments, higher, more sustained antibody levels are observed in patients with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection prior to vaccination. Our results thus suggest that adapted vaccination schedules may be required to induce immunity in at-risk, anti-TNF-treated patients.
Alexander J, Powell N, Liu Z, et al., 2022, A prospective, case-control study of COVID-19 vaccine-induced antibody responses in immunosuppressed patients with IBD, The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology, ISSN: 2468-1253
Background:We sought to determine whether COVID-19 vaccine-induced antibody responses were diminished in patients with IBD on commonly used immunosuppressive drugs.Methods:We prospectively recruited 483 adults (121 healthy controls and 362 IBD) following two doses of either ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (Oxford/AstraZeneca), BNT162b2 (Pfizer/BioNTech) or mRNA1273 (Moderna) vaccines (doses delivered between six to twelve weeks apart according to scheduling adopted in the United Kingdom). IBD medications studied comprised thiopurines (n=78), infliximab (n=63), thiopurine/infliximab combination therapy (n=72), ustekinumab (n=57), vedolizumab (n=62) or tofacitinib (n=30). The pre-defined primary outcome was anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike (anti-S1 RBD) antibody concentrations, 53-92 days after second vaccine dose, in 370 participants without prior infection, adjusted by age and vaccine type. Findings:Geometric mean [geometric SD] anti-S1 RBD antibody concentrations were significantly lower in patients treated with infliximab (157U/mL [5.7]; P<0.0001), infliximab and thiopurine combination (111U/mL [5.7]; P<0.0001) and tofacitinib (430 U/mL [3.1]; P=0.0012) compared to controls (1578U/ml [3.7]). There were no significant differences in anti-S1 RBD antibody concentrations between control subjects and thiopurine (1020U/mL [4.3]; P=0.74), nor ustekinumab (582U/mL [4.6]; P=0.11), nor vedolizumab treated patients (954U/mL [4.1]; P=0.50). In multivariable modelling, lower anti-S1 RBD antibody concentrations were independently associated with infliximab (Geometric mean ratio 0.12, 95% CI 0.08-0.17, P<0.0001) and tofacitinib (0.43, 95% CI 0.23-0.81, P=0.009), but not with ustekinumab (0.69, 95% CI 0.41-1.19, P=0.18), thiopurine (0.89, 95% CI [0.64-1.24], P=0.50) or vedolizumab (1.16, 95% CI 0.74-1.83, P=0.51). mRNA vaccines (3.68 [95% CI 2.80-4.84], P<0.0001) and older age (0.79 [95% CI 0.72-0.87], P<0.0001) were independently associated with higher and lower anti-S1 antibody concentrati
Lin S, Kennedy NA, Saifuddin A, et al., 2022, Antibody decay, T cell immunity and breakthrough infections following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in infliximab- and vedolizumab-treated patients, Publisher: OXFORD UNIV PRESS, Pages: I023-I025, ISSN: 1873-9946
Radhakrishnan ST, Alexander JL, Mullish BH, et al., 2022, Systematic Review: The association between the gut microbiota and medical therapies in inflammatory bowel disease, Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Vol: 55, Pages: 26-48, ISSN: 0269-2813
BackgroundThe gut microbiota has been implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with Faecalibacterium prausnitizii associated with protection, and certain genera (including Shigella and Escherichia) associated with adverse features. The variability of patient response to medical therapies in IBD is incompletely understood. Given the recognised contribution of the microbiota to treatment efficacy in other conditions, there may be interplay between the gut microbiota, IBD medical therapy and IBD phenotype.AimsTo evaluate the bidirectional relationship between IBD medical therapies and the gut microbiota.MethodsWe conducted a systematic search of MEDLINE and EMBASE. All original studies analysing interactions between the gut microbiota and established IBD medical therapies were included.ResultsWe screened 1296 records; 19 studies were eligible. There was heterogeneity in terms of sample analysis, treatment protocols, and outcome reporting. Increased baseline α-diversity was observed in responders versus non-responders treated with exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN), infliximab, ustekinumab or vedolizumab. Higher baseline Faecalibacterium predicted response to infliximab and ustekinumab. A post-treatment increase in Faecalibacterium prausnitzii was noted in responders to aminosalicylates, anti-TNF medications and ustekinumab; conversely, this species decreased in responders to EEN. Escherichia was a consistent marker of unfavourable drug response, and its presence in the gut mucosa correlated with inflammation in aminosalicylate-treated patients.ConclusionsBoth gut microbiota diversity and specific taxonomic features (including high abundance of Faecalibacterium) are associated with the efficacy of a range of IBD therapies. These findings hold promise for a potential role for the gut microbiota in explaining the heterogeneity of patient response to IBD treatments.
Alexander J, Selinger CP, Powell N, 2021, Third doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in immunosuppressed patients with inflammatory bowel disease, The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Vol: 6, Pages: 987-988, ISSN: 2468-1253
Allegretti JR, Kelly CR, Grinspan A, et al., 2021, Inflammatory bowel disease outcomes following fecal microbiota transplantation for recurrent C. difficile infection, Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, Vol: 27, Pages: 1371-1378, ISSN: 1078-0998
BackgroundRecurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a clinical challenge. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has emerged as a recurrent CDI therapy. Anecdotal concerns exist regarding worsening of IBD activity; however, prospective data among IBD patients are limited.MethodsSecondary analysis from an open-label, prospective, multicenter cohort study among IBD patients with 2 or more CDI episodes was performed. Participants underwent a single FMT by colonoscopy (250 mL, healthy universal donor). Secondary IBD-related outcomes included rate of de novo IBD flares, worsening IBD, and IBD improvement—all based on Mayo or Harvey-Bradshaw index (HBI) scores. Stool samples were collected for microbiome and targeted metabolomic profiling.ResultsFifty patients enrolled in the study, among which 15 had Crohn’s disease (mean HBI, 5.8 ± 3.4) and 35 had ulcerative colitis (mean partial Mayo score, 4.2 ± 2.1). Overall, 49 patients received treatment. Among the Crohn’s disease cohort, 73.3% (11 of 15) had IBD improvement, and 4 (26.6%) had no disease activity change. Among the ulcerative colitis cohort, 62% (22 of 34) had IBD improvement, 29.4% (11 of 34) had no change, and 4% (1 of 34) experienced a de novo flare. Alpha diversity significantly increased post-FMT, and ulcerative colitis patients became more similar to the donor than Crohn’s disease patients (P = 0.04).ConclusionThis prospective trial assessing FMT in IBD-CDI patients suggests IBD outcomes are better than reported in retrospective studies.
Alexander J, Johnston B, Smith T, et al., 2021, Low referral rates for genetic assessment of patients with multiple adenomas in United Kingdom Bowel Cancer Screening Programmes, Diseases of the Colon and Rectum, Vol: 64, Pages: 1058-1063, ISSN: 0012-3706
Background:Approximately one in twenty cases of colorectal cancer are caused by monogenic syndromes. Published guidelines recommend that patients with ten or more adenomas be referred for genetic testing, based on evidence that colorectal cancer risk is associated with adenoma multiplicity. Objective:The aim of this study was to determine adherence to guidelines on referral for genetic screening in patients with ten or more adenomas.Design:A cross-sectional study was performed of prospectively collected data from the United Kingdom Bowel Cancer Screening Program between May 2007 & June 2018. Only histologically confirmed adenomas were included. Clinicopathological data were recorded from patient records and referrals to clinical genetics services were ascertained. Setting:Data were obtained from three centres in London, United Kingdom.Patients:A total of 17,450 subjects underwent colonoscopy following an abnormal faecal occult blood test. Main outcome measures:We quantified patients with ten or more adenomas and the proportion referred for genetic screening.Results:The adenoma detection rate was 50.6% amongst 17,450 patients who underwent colonoscopy (8,831 had one or more adenomas). 347 patients (2.0%) had 10 or more adenomas. Patients with 10 or more adenomas were more likely to be male than those with less than 10 adenomas (76.9% vs. 53.4%; p<0.0001). A family history was collected in 37.8% of the multiple adenoma population. Of 347 patients with 10 or more adenomas, 28 (8.1%) were referred for genetic assessment.Limitations:All three screening centres were in a single city. No genetic outcome data were available to permit analysis of actual rates of inherited cancer syndromes in this population.Conclusions:In this study, almost one in fifty patients had ten or more adenomas. Despite guidelines advising genetic testing in this group, referral rates are low. A referral pathway and management strategies should be established to address this patient popula
Mason SE, Manoli E, Alexander JL, et al., 2021, Lipidomic profiling of colorectal lesions for real-time tissue recognition and risk-stratification using rapid evaporative ionisation mass spectrometry., Annals of Surgery, Vol: 00, ISSN: 0003-4932
OBJECTIVE: Rapid Evaporative Ionisation Mass Spectrometry (REIMS) is a metabolomic technique analysing tissue metabolites, which can be applied intra-operatively in real-time. The objective of this study was to profile the lipid composition of colorectal tissues using REIMS, assessing its accuracy for real-time tissue recognition and risk-stratification. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Metabolic dysregulation is a hallmark feature of carcinogenesis, however it remains unknown if this can be leveraged for real-time clinical applications in colorectal disease. METHODS: Patients undergoing colorectal resection were included, with carcinoma, adenoma and paired-normal mucosa sampled. Ex vivo analysis with REIMS was conducted using monopolar diathermy, with the aerosol aspirated into a Xevo G2S QToF mass spectrometer. Negatively charged ions over 600-1000m/z were used for univariate and multivariate functions including linear discriminant analysis. RESULTS: 161 patients were included, generating 1013 spectra. Unique lipidomic profiles exist for each tissue type, with REIMS differentiating samples of carcinoma, adenoma and normal mucosa with 93 1% accuracy and 96 1% negative predictive value for carcinoma. Neoplasia (carcinoma or adenoma) could be predicted with 96 0% accuracy and 91 8% negative predictive value. Adenomas can be risk-stratified by grade of dysplasia with 93 5% accuracy, but not histological subtype. The structure of 61 lipid metabolites was identified, revealing that during colorectal carcinogenesis there is progressive increase in relative abundance of phosphatidylglycerols, sphingomyelins and mono-unsaturated fatty acid containing phospholipids. CONCLUSIONS: The colorectal lipidome can be sampled by REIMS and leveraged for accurate real-time tissue recognition, in addition to risk-stratification of colorectal adenomas. Unique lipidomic features associated with carcinogenesis are described.
Alexander J, Ibraheim H, Sheth B, et al., 2021, Clinical outcomes of patients with corticosteroid refractory immune checkpoint inhibitor induced enterocolitis treated with infliximab, Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer, Vol: 9, Pages: 1-9, ISSN: 2051-1426
IntroductionImmune Checkpoint Inhibitors (CPI) have changed the treatment landscape for many cancers, but also cause severe inflammatory side effects including enterocolitis. CPI-induced enterocolitis is treated empirically with corticosteroids, and infliximab (IFX) is used in corticosteroid-refractory cases. However, robust outcome data for these patients are scarce. MethodsWe conducted a multi-centre (six cancer centres), cohort study of outcomes in patients treated with IFX for corticosteroid-refractory CPI-induced enterocolitis between 2007 and 2020. The primary outcome was corticosteroid-free clinical remission (CFCR) with CTCAE grade 0 for diarrhoea at 12 weeks after IFX initiation. We also assessed cancer outcomes at one year using RECIST criteria.Results127 patients (73 male; median age 59 years) were treated with IFX for corticosteroid-refractory CPI-induced enterocolitis. Ninety-six (75.6%) patients had diarrhoea CTCAE grade >2 and 115 (90.6%) required hospitalisation for colitis. CFCR was 41.2% at 12 weeks and 50.9% at 26 weeks. In multivariable logistical regression, IFX-resistant enterocolitis was associated with rectal bleeding (OR 0.19; 95% CI 0.04-0.80; p=0.03) and absence of colonic crypt abscesses (OR 2.16; 95% CI 1.13-8.05; p=0.03). Cancer non-progression was significantly more common in patients with IFX-resistant enterocolitis (64.4%) as compared to patients with IFX-responsive enterocolitis (37.5%; p=0.013).ConclusionThis is the largest study to date reporting outcomes of IFX therapy in patients with corticosteroid-refractory CPI-induced enterocolitis. Utilizing pre-defined robust endpoints, we have demonstrated that fewer than half of patients achieved CFCR. Our data also indicate that cancer outcomes may be better in patients developing prolonged and severe inflammatory side effects of CPI-therapy.
Alexander JL, Powell N, 2021, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in immunosuppressed patients with inflammatory bowel disease: should our approach change?, The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Vol: 6, Pages: S28-S29, ISSN: 2468-1253
Miguens Blanco J, Liu Z, Mullish BH, et al., 2021, A Phenomic Characterization of the Gut Microbiota - Associations with Psoriatic Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis, World Microbe Forum
Radhakrishnan ST, Mullish BH, Gallagher K, et al., 2021, RECTAL SWABS AS A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE TO FECAL SAMPLING FOR THE ANALYSIS OF GUT MICROBIOME FUNCTIONALITY AS WELL AS COMPOSITION, Society-for-Surgery-of-the-Alimentary-Tract Annual Meeting at Digestive Disease Week (DDW), Publisher: W B SAUNDERS CO-ELSEVIER INC, Pages: S733-S733, ISSN: 0016-5085
Capece D, D'Andrea D, Begalli F, et al., 2021, Enhanced triacylglycerol catabolism by Carboxylesterase 1 promotes aggressive colorectal carcinoma., Journal of Clinical Investigation, ISSN: 0021-9738
The ability to adapt to low-nutrient microenvironments is essential for tumor-cell survival and progression in solid cancers, such as colorectal carcinoma (CRC). Signaling by the NF-κB transcription-factor pathway associates with advanced disease stages and shorter survival in CRC patients. NF-κB has been shown to drive tumor-promoting inflammation, cancer-cell survival and intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) dedifferentiation in mouse models of CRC. However, whether NF-κB affects the metabolic adaptations that fuel aggressive disease in CRC patients is unknown. Here, we identified carboxylesterase 1 (CES1) as an essential NF-κB-regulated lipase linking obesity-associated inflammation with fat metabolism and adaptation to energy stress in aggressive CRC. CES1 promoted CRC-cell survival via cell-autonomous mechanisms that fuel fatty-acid oxidation (FAO) and prevent the toxic build-up of triacylglycerols. We found that elevated CES1 expression correlated with worse outcomes in overweight CRC patients. Accordingly, NF-κB drove CES1 expression in CRC consensus molecular subtype (CMS)4, associated with obesity, stemness and inflammation. CES1 was also upregulated by gene amplifications of its transcriptional regulator, HNF4A, in CMS2 tumors, reinforcing its clinical relevance as a driver of CRC. This subtype-based distribution and unfavourable prognostic correlation distinguished CES1 from other intracellular triacylglycerol lipases and suggest CES1 could provide a route to treat aggressive CRC.
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