Intestinal Research

Review

Optimizing Janus kinase inhibitor therapy for ulcerative colitis: a real-world perspective: Shintaro Akiyama; Received June 1, 2025 Accepted June 19, 2025 Published online November 14, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.5217/ir.2025.00096 [Epub ahead of print]

Abstract PDF PubReader ePub: In real-world clinical practice, 3 Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors—tofacitinib, filgotinib, and upadacitinib—are now available for the treatment of ulcerative colitis. Emerging real-world evidence highlights distinct efficacy and safety profiles among these agents, largely attributed to differences in JAK selectivity and dosing strategies. Notably, data are accumulating on differential efficacy, predictors of therapeutic response, and outcomes in patients who switch between JAK inhibitors, contributing to a clearer understanding of the optimal positioning of each agent. Regarding safety, particular attention has been given to risks such as herpes zoster infection and drug-induced acne, underscoring the importance of appropriate patient education and individualized risk assessment. This review summarizes clinical trials and current real-world data on tofacitinib, filgotinib, and upadacitinib in ulcerative colitis, and discusses strategies for optimizing their clinical application.

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Original Articles

Filgotinib effectiveness and safety as second or third-line therapy in patients with ulcerative colitis: data from a real-world study: Antonio Tursi, Giammarco Mocci, Francesco Costa, Linda Ceccarelli, Edoardo Savarino, Caterina De Barba, Caterina Mucherino, Elvira D’Antonio, Laura Montesano, Manuela Marzo, Franco Scaldaferri, Daniele Napolitano, Daniela Pugliese, Antonietta Gerarda Gravina, Raffaele Pellegrino, Rocco Spagnuolo, Francesco Luzza, Antonio Cuomo, Laura Donnarumma, Giovanni Maconi, Giovanni Cataletti, Lorenzo Bertani, Giorgia Bodini, Andrea Pasta, Simona Piergallini, Mariaelena Serio, Antonella Scarcelli, Pietro Capone, Fabio Cortellini, Stefano Rodino, Ladislava Sebkova, Giuliana Vespere, Silvia Sedda, Vittorio D’Onofrio, Leonardo De Luca, Federica Gaiani, Stefano Kayali, Cristiano Pagnini, Maria Giovanna Graziani, Maria Carla Di Paolo, Leonardo Allegretta, Alessia Immacolata Cazzato, Stefano Scorza, Antonio Ferronato, Davide Giuseppe Ribaldone, Giovanni Aragona, Patrizia Perazzo, Giacomo Forti, Michela Di Fonzo, Federico Iacopini, Roberta Pica, Claudio Cassieri, Francesca Maria Onidi, Paolo Usai Satta, Walter Elisei, Marcello Picchio, Alfredo Papa; Received April 29, 2025 Accepted July 14, 2025 Published online September 29, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.5217/ir.2025.00067 [Epub ahead of print]

Abstract PDF PubReader ePub

Background/Aims
Real-world data on the use of filgotinib (FILGO) in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) are limited. This study aims to provide consistent results on the effectiveness and safety of FILGO in treating UC.
Methods
A retrospective assessment of clinical and endoscopic activity was conducted in a cohort of patients with UC according to the full Mayo score. The primary co-endpoints of the study were the evaluation of the effectiveness and safety of FILGO.
Results
We enrolled 102 patients with a median follow-up of 24 weeks (interquartile range, 8–24 weeks). At 8 weeks and the end of follow-up, clinical remission was achieved by 38 (37.2%) and 47 (46.1%) patients, respectively. Clinical remission was achieved in 13 of 18 patients (72.2%) receiving first-line therapy, 7 of 19 patients (36.8%) receiving second-line therapy, and 27 of 65 patients (41.5%) receiving third-line therapy (P= 0.002). Clinical remission at 8 weeks predicted clinical remission at the end of follow-up (P= 0.021). Age > 40 years (P= 0.046) and being on second- or third-line of treatment (P= 0.005) were negative predictors for clinical remission. Seventy-one patients (69.6%) achieved a clinical response. At endoscopic evaluation, mucosal healing was observed in 18 out of 30 patients (60.0%). Steroid-free remission was present in 38 out of 46 patients (82.6%). Five patients (4.9%) needed colectomy. Adverse events were recorded in 6 patients (5.8%): 2 cases (2%) were severe, requiring discontinuation of FILGO.
Conclusions
Our real-world data confirms that FILGO is safe and effective for patients with UC. Its efficacy is significantly improved when used as a first-line treatment.

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Upadacitinib’s Effectiveness and Safety as a Second- or Third-Line Therapy in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis: Data from a Real-World Study
Giammarco Mocci, Antonio Tursi, Franco Scaldaferri, Daniele Napolitano, Daniela Pugliese, Giovanni Maconi, Giovanni Cataletti, Roberta Pica, Claudio Cassieri, Edoardo Vincenzo Savarino, Caterina De Barba, Francesco Costa, Linda Ceccarelli, Manuela Marzo,
Journal of Clinical Medicine.2025; 14(21): 7801. CrossRef

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IBD

Propensity score-matched real-world comparative treatment outcomes of Janus kinase inhibitors for ulcerative colitis in patients with and without prior exposure to anti-tumor necrosis factor α antibody: Maiko Ikenouchi, Hirokazu Fukui, Soichi Yagi, Akira Nogami, Koji Kaku, Toshiyuki Sato, Mikio Kawai, Koji Kamikozuru, Yoko Yokoyama, Tetsuya Takagawa, Toshihiko Tomita, Taku Kobayashi, Shinichiro Shinzaki; Intest Res 2025;23(4):464-474. Published online February 3, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.5217/ir.2024.00148

Abstract PDF Supplementary Material PubReader ePub

Background/Aims
Tofacitinib (TFB), filgotinib (FIL), and upadacitinib (UPA) are Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors approved for moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis (UC). The appropriate positioning of each JAK inhibitor in the treatment algorithm, however, is unclear. Furthermore, real-world efficacy of JAK inhibitors for patients with UC and prior anti-tumor necrosis factor α antibody (aTNF) treatment are not fully investigated. We compared the efficacy and safety of 3 JAK inhibitors in patients with UC, considering their prior aTNF exposure.
Methods
A retrospective study was conducted in patients with UC who started TFB, FIL, or UPA at 2 academic centers. This propensity score-matched cohort study assessed the effectiveness of the 3 JAK inhibitors for UC in patients with and without prior aTNF exposure, comparing steroid-free clinical remission and response rates after 8 weeks.
Results
Among 274 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 145 experienced aTNF exposure (TFB: 59.2%, 100/169; FIL: 34.5%, 20/58; UPA: 53.2%, 25/47). Based on propensity score-matching, UPA led to a higher steroid-free clinical remission rates than TFB (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 5.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.42–21.90) or FIL (aOR, 9.00; 95% CI, 1.42–57.10) in patients exposed to aTNF. Steroid-free clinical remission and clinical response rates did not differ significantly between each group in patients non-exposed to aTNF. The incidence of adverse events was slightly higher with UPA than TFB or FIL.
Conclusions
UPA may be more effective for UC than TFB or FIL, especially in patients with previous aTNF exposure, although consideration should be given to adverse events.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Comparative effectiveness and safety of tofacitinib and filgotinib in patients with ulcerative colitis: A propensity score-weighted cohort study
Fabio Salvatore Macaluso, Walter Fries, Anna Viola, Clara De Francesco, Nunzio Belluardo, Emiliano Giangreco, Maria Cappello, Roberto Ajovalasit, Filippo Mocciaro, Barbara Scrivo, Antonino Carlo Privitera, Maria Emanuela Distefano, Alessandro Vitello, Con
Digestive and Liver Disease.2025; 57(11): 2109. CrossRef
Three Janus kinase inhibitors in ulcerative colitis: is upadacitinib taking the lead?
Yoon Suk Jung
Intestinal Research.2025; 23(4): 394. CrossRef
Optimizing Janus kinase inhibitor therapy for ulcerative colitis: a real-world perspective
Shintaro Akiyama
Intestinal Research.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Janus Kinase Inhibitors for Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Concise Questions and Answers on Their Use in Clinical Practice
Javier P Gisbert, María Chaparro
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.2025;[Epub] CrossRef

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IBD

Filgotinib induction-study baseline characteristics of patients with ulcerative colitis who achieve sustained corticosteroid-free remission: post hoc analysis of the phase 2b/3 SELECTION study: Taku Kobayashi, Axel Dignass, Xavier Roblin, Yoshie Takatori, Toshihiko Kaise, Alessandra Oortwijn, Corinne Jamoul, Toshifumi Hibi; Intest Res 2025;23(1):65-75. Published online June 14, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.5217/ir.2024.00007

Abstract PDF Supplementary Material PubReader ePub

Background/Aims
Obtaining and maintaining corticosteroid-free remission are important goals of treatment for ulcerative colitis (UC). Characteristics associated with achieving corticosteroid-free remission were assessed in filgotinib-treated patients in SELECTION, a 58-week, phase 2b/3 trial in moderately to severely active UC.
Methods
This post hoc analysis used data from filgotinib-treated patients receiving corticosteroids at maintenance baseline in SELECTION. Univariate logistic regression was performed to assess induction baseline characteristics associated with 6 months of corticosteroid-free remission at week 58, defined as clinical remission without using corticosteroids for at least 6 months.
Results
At maintenance baseline, 92 and 81 patients were receiving corticosteroids in the filgotinib 200 mg and filgotinib 100 mg groups, respectively. Age, body mass index, history of pancolitis, disease duration, fecal calprotectin levels, C-reactive protein levels, Mayo Clinic Score, concomitant corticosteroids, immunomodulators, and aminosalicylates had no statistically significant effect on the likelihood of achieving corticosteroid-free remission. Baseline characteristics associated with increased odds of corticosteroid-free remission were Mayo Clinic Endoscopic Subscore of 2 (vs. 3) in the filgotinib 200 mg and filgotinib 100 mg groups, and female (vs. male) sex, current (vs. former or never) smoking, and being biologic‑naive (vs. experienced) in the filgotinib 200 mg group.
Conclusions
Steroid tapering can be achieved in patients with UC receiving filgotinib 200 mg independently of baseline characteristics such as clinical activity and duration of illness. However, the likelihood of achieving corticosteroid-free remission was higher among patients who were biologic-naive, current smokers, had low endoscopic inflammatory burden and who were female.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

In which patients with ulcerative colitis would filgotinib be effective?
Jihye Park
Intestinal Research.2025; 23(1): 1. CrossRef
Three Janus kinase inhibitors in ulcerative colitis: is upadacitinib taking the lead?
Yoon Suk Jung
Intestinal Research.2025; 23(4): 394. CrossRef

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IBD

Efficacy and safety of filgotinib as induction and maintenance therapy for Japanese patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis: a post-hoc analysis of the phase 2b/3 SELECTION trial: Toshifumi Hibi, Satoshi Motoya, Tadakazu Hisamatsu, Fumihito Hirai, Kenji Watanabe, Katsuyoshi Matsuoka, Masayuki Saruta, Taku Kobayashi, Brian G Feagan, Chantal Tasset, Robin Besuyen, Chohee Yun, Gerald Crans, Jie Zhang, Akira Kondo, Mamoru Watanabe; Intest Res 2023;21(1):110-125. Published online March 11, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.5217/ir.2021.00143

Abstract PDF Supplementary Material PubReader ePub

Background/Aims
The safety and efficacy of filgotinib, a once-daily oral Janus kinase 1 preferential inhibitor, were evaluated in Japanese patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) in the phase 2b/3 SELECTION trial.
Methods
SELECTION (NCT02914522) was a randomized, placebo-controlled trial comprising 2 induction studies and a maintenance study. Adults with moderately to severely active UC were randomized in induction study A (biologic-naïve) or B (biologic-experienced) to receive filgotinib 200 mg, 100 mg, or placebo once daily for 11 weeks. Patients in clinical remission or Mayo Clinic score response at week 10 entered the 47-week maintenance study. Efficacy and safety outcomes were assessed in Japanese patients enrolled in Japan.
Results
Overall, 37 and 72 Japanese patients were enrolled in Japan in induction studies A and B, respectively, and 54 entered the maintenance study. Numerically higher proportions of filgotinib 200 mg-treated than placebo-treated patients achieved clinical remission in induction study A (4/15 [26.7%] vs. 0/6 [0%]) and the maintenance study (5/20 [25.0%] vs. 0/9 [0%]), but not induction study B (1/29 [3.4%] vs. 1/14 [7.1%]). Both doses were well tolerated, and no new safety signals were noted. Herpes zoster was reported in 1 filgotinib 200 mg-treated patient in each of induction study A (2.3%, 1/44) and the maintenance study (5.0%, 1/20).
Conclusions
These data, alongside those of the overall SELECTION population, suggest the potential of filgotinib 200 mg as a viable treatment option for Japanese patients with UC. Owing to small patient numbers, data should be interpreted cautiously.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Quercus infectoria galls mitigates colitis in mice through alleviating mucosal barrier impairment and suppressing inflammatory factors
Yan Ding, Jiao-Jiao Bai, Sabahat Ablimit, Muyassar Yasen, Arfidin Anwar, Kudelaidi Kuerban, Mubarak Iminjan, Guo-Qiang Zhang
Journal of Ethnopharmacology.2025; 343: 119487. CrossRef
Post-marketing surveillance of tofacitinib in patients with ulcerative colitis in Japan: a final report of safety and effectiveness data
Katsuyoshi Matsuoka, Satoshi Motoya, Takayuki Yamamoto, Minoru Matsuura, Toshimitsu Fujii, Shinichiro Shinzaki, Yohei Mikami, Shoko Arai, Junichi Oshima, Yutaka Endo, Hirotoshi Yuasa, Masato Hoshi, Keiko Sato, Tadakazu Hisamatsu
Journal of Gastroenterology.2025; 60(8): 979. CrossRef
Efficacy and safety of filgotinib for ulcerative colitis: A real‐world multicenter retrospective study in Japan
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Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics.2024; 59(11): 1413. CrossRef
Real-World Data on the Effectiveness and Safety of Filgotinib for Ulcerative Colitis in Japanese Patients: A Single-Center Experience
Takahito Toba, Ryo Karashima, Kodai Fujii, Keiichi Inoue, Nanako Inoue, Yurie Ogawa, Aya Hojo, Ai Fujimoto, Takahisa Matsuda
Cureus.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Safety and effectiveness of tofacitinib in Korean adult patients with ulcerative colitis: post-marketing surveillance study
Hyuk Yoon, Byong Duk Ye, Sang-Bum Kang, Kang-Moon Lee, Chang Hwan Choi, Joo-young Jo, Juwon Woo, Jae Hee Cheon
BMC Gastroenterology.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Patients’ Preference on Advanced Therapy and Follow-Up Procedure for Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Japan: A Web-Based 3A Survey
Toshifumi Morishita, Shunichi Yanai, Yosuke Toya, Takayuki Matsumoto
Inflammatory Intestinal Diseases.2024; 9(1): 174. CrossRef
The role and prospect of tofacitinib in patients with ulcerative colitis
Jun Lee
Intestinal Research.2023; 21(1): 168. CrossRef
Advances in pharmacotherapy for ulcerative colitis: a focus on JAK1 inhibitors
Alexander Goetsch, Ferdinando D’Amico, Mariangela Allocca, Gionata Fiorino, Federica Furfaro, Alessandra Zilli, Tommaso Lorenzo Parigi, Simona Radice, Laurent Peyrin-Biroulet, Silvio Danese
Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy.2023; 24(7): 849. CrossRef
Understanding the efficacy of individual Janus kinase inhibitors in the treatment of ulcerative colitis for future positioning in inflammatory bowel disease treatment
Hiroshi Nakase
Immunological Medicine.2023; 46(3): 121. CrossRef
Inflammation-Driven Colorectal Cancer Associated with Colitis: From Pathogenesis to Changing Therapy
Olga Maria Nardone, Irene Zammarchi, Giovanni Santacroce, Subrata Ghosh, Marietta Iacucci
Cancers.2023; 15(8): 2389. CrossRef
Extraintestinal Cancers in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Literature Review
Alessandro Massano, Luisa Bertin, Fabiana Zingone, Andrea Buda, Pierfrancesco Visaggi, Lorenzo Bertani, Nicola de Bortoli, Matteo Fassan, Marco Scarpa, Cesare Ruffolo, Imerio Angriman, Cristina Bezzio, Valentina Casini, Davide Giuseppe Ribaldone, Edoardo
Cancers.2023; 15(15): 3824. CrossRef
Integrated safety analysis of filgotinib for ulcerative colitis: Results from SELECTION and SELECTIONLTE
Stefan Schreiber, Gerhard Rogler, Mamoru Watanabe, Séverine Vermeire, Christian Maaser, Silvio Danese, Margaux Faes, Paul Van Hoek, Jeremy Hsieh, Ulrik Moerch, Yan Zhou, Angela de Haas, Christine Rudolph, Alessandra Oortwijn, Edward V. Loftus
Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics.2023; 58(9): 874. CrossRef
Recent advances in anti-inflammatory active components and action mechanisms of natural medicines
Zhimin Wu, Tao Zhang, Xiaofei Ma, Shuai Guo, Qingqing Zhou, Arshad Zahoor, Ganzhen Deng
Inflammopharmacology.2023; 31(6): 2901. CrossRef
Filgotinib for moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis
Alessandro Mannucci, Ferdinando D’Amico, Ahmad El Saadi, Laurent Peyrin-Biroulet, Silvio Danese
Expert Review of Gastroenterology & Hepatology.2022; 16(10): 927. CrossRef

11,709 View
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