Clinical Experience of the Use of CT-P13, a Biosimilar to Infliximab in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Case Series

Background CT-P13 is the first biosimilar monoclonal antibody to infliximab. However, the antibody was tested only in rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, which demonstrated equivalence to the originator in efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetic profile. Extrapolation of its efficacy and safety to other pathologies is tenuous. Interchangeability with its originator is another unclear area. Aim We aimed to describe the experience of CT-P13 use in inflammatory bowel disease at a tertiary center. Methods Seventeen subjects diagnosed with Crohn's disease (CD, n = 8) or ulcerative colitis (UC, n = 9) who were administered CT-P13 from November 2012 to October 2013 at Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital were retrospectively enrolled. Medical records analyzed included patients' characteristics, previous history of anti-tumor necrosis factor administration, response and remission to this biosimilar antibody, disease flare-up, and adverse drug reaction. Results Male-female ratio was 1.8. Mean age was 35.4 years (range 15-57). Mean number of CT-P13 administrations was 4.2 +/- 1.9. Induction treatments were done in five UC and three CD patients. Clinical response and remission at 8 weeks were achieved in seven patients (five UC and two CD). One CD patient did not respond to CT-P13. Nine patients in maintenance with the originator were interchanged with CT-P13 (four UC and five CD patients). One UC patient experienced arthralgia and CT-P13 was discontinued. One patient experienced loss of response during the study period. Conclusions CT-P13 may have biosimilarity and interchangeability with its originator in inflammatory bowel disease. A large, randomized, double-blind, prospective study is needed.