Ustekinumab Salvages Pediatric IBD After Anti-TNF Failure
This meta-analysis pools single-arm pediatric data to quantify ustekinumab remission and safety rates in children with inflammatory bowel disease refractory to anti-TNF therapy, a group with few evidence-based options.
Could ustekinumab be the answer for pediatric IBD post-anti-TNF failure?
Ustekinumab (UST) offers a potential treatment option for pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients who fail anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy, addressing a critical therapeutic gap. In the meta-analysis, UST achieved a clinical remission rate of 68% at week 52 with 20% of patients experiencing any adverse events and 1% serious ones. UST shows promise as a therapy for pediatric IBD patients with prior anti-TNF failure, although implementation should consider inter-study heterogeneity and subgroup data limitations. UST is a promising option for pediatric IBD with prior anti-TNF failure, showing high remission rates and an acceptable safety profile.
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Authors:Heng Z, Zhan L, Zhang Y, Xu K, Song M, Zhao K, Jahan MS, Akter MF, Lu P, Ji Y, Liu Y
Citation:Heng Z, Zhan L, Zhang Y, et al. Meta-analysis: safety and efficacy of ustekinumab in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease patients with anti-TNF failure. BMC gastroenterology. 2026. doi:10.1186/s12876-026-05078-9