Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients who are resistant to or cannot tolerate conventional treatment now have a more flexible biologics option available to them.
Entyvio (generic name vedolizumab) is now available as a self-administered injection for cases of moderately-to-severely active IBD in those aged 18 and above who had an inadequate response with, lost response to, or were intolerant to, either conventional therapy or a tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) antagonist.
This biologic was previously only available via intravenous (IV) insfusion.
Patients who have received at least two prior IV infusions of Entyvio may also switch to the injectable version for their maintenance therapy.
IBD includes both Crohn’s disease, a condition that can affect the entire gastrointestinal tract, and ulcerative colitis, which specifically affects the colon and rectum.
Treatment with the new formulation helped 48% of patients with Crohn’s disease and 46.2% of patients with ulcerative colitis achieve clinical remission in one year.
IBD is a chronic condition with no cure, but ongoing treatment can help patients achieve remission and manage symptoms that impact their quality of life.
In Malaysia, the incidence of IBD has been steadily increasing over the past few decades.
Once considered a predominantly Western disease, IBD is now emerging more prominently in Asia, including Malaysia.
IBD patients often endure debilitating symptoms such as abdominal pain, chronic diarrhoea, rectal bleeding and weight loss.
These symptoms can severely affect their quality of life and compromise every aspect of their well-being, from physical and psychological to familial and social aspects.
“Without timely intervention to achieve disease remission, patients may continue to suffer, incur rising healthcare costs, and face serious complications, including an increased risk of colorectal cancer,” said senior consultant gastroenterologist Prof Dr Raja Affendi Raja Ali.
A range of treatments are available to help reduce inflammation, with conventional therapies commonly used for mild to moderate symptoms.
"With Entyvio® Pen, patients have the option of administering their maintenance treatment at home or on-the-go,” said Takeda Malaysia and Singapore general manager Simon Gallagher.
“Our development of a subcutaneous [below the skin] option demonstrates Takeda’s commitment to addressing the very real needs of those living with IBD.
"By expanding treatment choices, we aim to empower patients and healthcare providers with medicine that support long-term disease management and an improved quality of life.”
