J Crohns Colitis. 2022 Jun 24;16(5):746-756. doi: 10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjab201.

Geert D'Haens ¹, Silvio Danese ², Martin Davies ³, Mamoru Watanabe ⁴, Toshifumi Hibi ⁵

Author information

¹Inflammatory Bowel Disease Centre, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

²Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Unit, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele and University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milano, Italy.

³Clinical Operations, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Europe, London, UK.

⁴Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.

⁵Center for Advanced IBD Research and Treatment, Kitasato University Kitasato Institute Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.

Abstract

Background and aims: Amiselimod is an oral selective S1P1 receptor modulator with potentially fewer adverse effects than fingolimod. We evaluated the safety, tolerability, and clinical efficacy of amiselimod in participants with moderate to severe active Crohn's disease.

Methods: This was a phase IIa, multicentre, randomised, double-blind, parallel group, placebo-controlled study comparing amiselimod 0.4 mg with placebo over a 14-Week treatment period. The primary endpoint of the study was the proportion of participants with clinical response (Crohn's Disease activity Index [CDAI] 100) from baseline at Week 12.

Results: A total of 180 patients were screened and 78 were randomised [40 to amiselimod 0.4 mg and 38 to placebo]. There was no significant difference in the proportion of patients achieving CDAI 100 at Week 12 on amiselimod 0.4 mg and on placebo [48.7% vs. 54.1%, respectively] (odds ratio [OR] [95% confidence interval]: 0.79 [0.31, 1.98]). The results from the secondary endpoint analyses supported the results of the primary endpoint analysis. Treatment with amiselimod 0.4 mg was generally well tolerated, with 71.8% of participants completing the 14-week treatment period. Seven participants had serious adverse events and four discontinued treatment in the amiselimod group.

Conclusions: Amiselimod 0.4 mg for 12 weeks was not superior to placebo for the induction of clinical response [CDAI 100] in Crohn's disease. Treatment with amiselimod 0.4 mg was generally well tolerated and no new safety concerns related to amiselimod were reported in this study.