Objectives:

Most patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) also have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The liver and colon express MAdCAM-1, a target of lymphocyte homing integrins. Vedolizumab (VDZ) is an α4β7 integrin antibody used to treat IBD. We investigated liver outcomes in children with PSC-IBD treated with VDZ.

Methods:

Patients were identified within the Pediatric PSC Consortium, a multicenter research registry. Retrospective demographic, phenotypic, biochemical, radiological, histopathologic and IBD data for up to one year of VDZ therapy were collected. Liver biochemical and IBD responses were defined as: a 75% or greater reduction in initial GGT, or a GGT that fell to <50 IU/L and improved Mayo endoscopy grade or IBD activity scores after 9–12 months.

Results:

37 patients were identified from 19 centers. VDZ was initiated at median age of 16 years [IQR 15–18], 69% were male, 65% had large duct involvement, 19% had (Metavir F3/F4) fibrosis and 59% had ulcerative colitis. Of 32 patients with abnormal GGT at baseline, 22% had a liver biochemical response after 9–12 months. For IBD, 32% achieved remission, 30% had a clinical response and 38% had no response. Final GGT after 9–12 months was 51 [IQR 28–71] in IBD patients in remission vs. 127 [IQR 63–226] in those with active IBD, (p = 0.066).

Conclusion:

Liver biochemistry worsened over time in IBD unresponsive to VDZ, but remained unchanged in IBD patients in remission. VDZ did not improve liver biochemistry in pediatric PSC-IBD. Progressive liver disease may be more common in patients with medically-refractory IBD.