Defining predictors of responsiveness to advanced therapies in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis: protocol for the IBD-RESPONSE and nested CD-metaRESPONSE prospective, multicentre, observational cohort study in precision medicine
Authors: Wyatt Nicola J , Watson Hannah , Anderson Carl A , Kennedy Nicholas A , Raine Tim , Ahmad Tariq , Allerton Dean , Bardgett Michelle , Clark Emma , Clewes Dawn , Cotobal Martin Cristina , Doona Mary , Doyle Jennifer A , Frith Katherine , Hancock Helen C , Hart Ailsa L , Hildreth Victoria , Irving Peter M , Iqbal Sameena , Kennedy Ciara , King Andrew , Lawrence Sarah , Lees Charlie W , Lees Robert , Letchford Laura , Liddle Trevor , Lindsay James O , Maier Rebecca H , Mansfield John C , Marchesi Julian R , McGregor Naomi , McIntyre Rebecca E , Ostermayer Jasmin , Osunnuyi Tolulope , Powell Nick , Prescott Natalie J , Satsangi Jack , Sharma Shriya , Shrestha Tara , Speight Ally , Strickland Michelle , Wason James MS , Whelan Kevin , Wood Ruth , Young Gregory R , Zhang Xinyue , Parkes Miles , Stewart Christopher J , Jostins-Dean Luke , Lamb Christopher A 
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Characterised by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) symptoms including diarrhoea, abdominal pain and fatigue can significantly impact patient’s quality of life. Therapeutic developments in the last 20 years have revolutionised treatment. However, clinical trials and real-world data show primary non-response rates up to 40%. A significant challenge is an inability to predict which treatment will benefit individual patients.

Current understanding of IBD pathogenesis implicates complex interactions between host genetics and the gut microbiome. Most cohorts studying the gut microbiota to date have been underpowered, examined single treatments and produced heterogeneous results. Lack of cross-treatment comparisons and well-powered independent replication cohorts hampers the ability to infer real-world utility of predictive signatures.

IBD-RESPONSE will use multi-omic data to create a predictive tool for treatment response. Future patient benefit may include development of biomarker-based treatment stratification or manipulation of intestinal microbial targets. IBD-RESPONSE and downstream studies have the potential to improve quality of life, reduce patient risk and reduce expenditure on ineffective treatments.

Methods and analysis

This prospective, multicentre, observational study will identify and validate a predictive model for response to advanced IBD therapies, incorporating gut microbiome, metabolome, single-cell transcriptome, human genome, dietary and clinical data. 1325 participants commencing advanced therapies will be recruited from ~40 UK sites. Data will be collected at baseline, week 14 and week 54. The primary outcome is week 14 clinical response. Secondary outcomes include clinical remission, loss of response in week 14 responders, corticosteroid-free response/remission, time to treatment escalation and change in patient-reported outcome measures.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval was obtained from the Wales Research Ethics Committee 5 (ref: 21/WA/0228). Recruitment is ongoing. Following study completion, results will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals and presented at scientific meetings. Publications will be summarised at www.ibd-response.co.uk.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN96296121.