Vedolizumab versus ustekinumab in Crohn’s disease with prior anti-tumor necrosis factor failure: an updated meta-analysis

Ustekinumab and vedolizumab are key treatment options for Crohn's disease patients who fail anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy. This updated meta-analysis aims to compare the efficacy and safety of these two drugs. We performed a systematic review in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases searching for randomized and nonrandomized studies comparing vedolizumab versus ustekinumab in patients with Crohn's disease with previous anti-TNF failure or intolerance. The primary outcome was steroid-free clinical remission (SFR) at the pos-induction (12-16 weeks) and maintenance period (48-52 weeks). The odds ratio (OR) was used for binary outcomes with their respective 95% confidence interval (CI). Heterogeneity was assessed using the Cochran Q test and I2 statistics. This meta-analysis included 11 studies and 2724 patients. There was a significant difference favoring ustekinumab in SFR at pos-induction (OR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.11-1.88; P = 0.006; I2 = 27%) and maintenance periods (OR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.23-2.82; P = 0.003; I2 = 80%), in clinical remission at pos-induction period (OR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.58-2.63; P < 0.001; I2 = 3%), and in treatment discontinuation due to adverse events (OR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.16-0.60; P < 0.001; I2 = 0%). In patients with Crohn's disease with prior anti-TNF failure, ustekinumab showed higher SFR during both the pos-induction and maintenance period and a lower rate of treatment discontinuation due to adverse events.