Anti-tumor Necrosis Factor in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis in Clinical Remission: to Continue or Not?

The BIOSTOP study is a prospective, open randomized, multicenter, parallel-group study to compare clinical outcome of discontinuing (interventional group) compared to continuing (control group) biologic treatment with anti-TNF in ulcerative colitis patients in clinical remission. Adult male and female patients with an established diagnosis of ulcerative colitis treated for minimum one year with anti-TNF maintenance therapy and being in clinical remission during the last 3 months are potential study patients. Eligible patients who have given their informed written consent will be randomized 1:1 to either discontinue anti-TNF treatment or to continue anti-TNF treatment for another two years. Patients in the control group who are still in clinical and endoscopic remission after two years on continued anti-TNF treatment, will then be switched to discontinue anti-TNF treatment. End of study/follow-up is after 4 years. In order to identify the primary endpoint (occurrence of disease relapse), each study center will have a phone number for patients to call in case of symptoms suspect of increased disease activity. If a patient is experiencing a potential disease flare (6-point Mayo score \> 1) and/or 2 consecutive calprotectin tests are positive (\> 200 mg/kg), an unscheduled visit including recto sigmoidoscopy will be performed without delay to document disease status. 150 participants enrolled, September 2020 Covid 19 - randomization period extended until 31.12.2020