Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Mirikizumab in Adults Over 60 With Moderate to Severe Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis

Overview

This research study looks at how safe and effective a medicine called Mirikizumab is for treating older adults (aged 60 and above) who have moderate to severe Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC). These two conditions, known as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), cause inflammation (swelling and irritation) in the digestive tract. Older adults with these conditions often have other health issues and face increased risks and complications, making it challenging for them to use certain treatments. Mirikizumab is already approved by the FDA for adults with IBD, but there's limited information about how well it works specifically for older adults. This study aims to fill that gap by seeing if Mirikizumab can help these patients safely manage their condition. The study plans to enroll around 150 people from various locations across the United States. Everyone participating will receive Mirikizumab according to the standard, FDA-approved guidelines. The main goal is to see how many participants achieve clinical remission, meaning their symptoms significantly improve or disappear, after 24 weeks of treatment. Researchers will also look at whether this remission lasts up to 48 weeks, how well symptoms are controlled without steroids, how treatment affects indicators of inflammation (such as blood tests), and how the participants feel overall based on their own reports. The safety of Mirikizumab will also be closely monitored throughout the study by regularly checking for any side effects. This study hopes to provide clearer information to help older adults with IBD and their doctors make better treatment decisions, ultimately improving health outcomes and quality of life.

This study is a Phase IV clinical trial designed specifically to examine how older adults (aged 60 years and above) respond to Mirikizumab, a biologic treatment approved by the FDA for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Recognizing the limited clinical trial representation of older patients, this study aims to provide essential evidence on treatment effectiveness, safety, and patient experience within this specific age group, addressing an existing knowledge gap in clinical practice. The trial will enroll approximately 150 adult participants diagnosed with moderate-to-severe Crohn's Disease (CD) or Ulcerative Colitis (UC) across multiple academic and community healthcare settings within the United States. Enrolled participants will undergo treatment with Mirikizumab administered strictly in accordance with FDA-approved dosing guidelines, without comparator or placebo groups. Key measures of clinical improvement include standardized, validated scoring systems: the Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) for CD participants and the Mayo Score for UC participants. Additionally, validated biomarkers indicative of disease activity (e.g., CRP, fecal calprotectin) and standardized patient-reported outcome measures (Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire \[IBDQ\]) will be evaluated at specified intervals. Participants will attend scheduled visits at baseline (Week 0), and subsequently at Weeks 12, 24, and 48. At each visit, researchers will assess clinical status, collect biological samples for biomarker analysis, review patient-reported outcomes, and systematically document any side effects or adverse events associated with treatment. Safety will be carefully monitored by an independent Data Monitoring Committee (DMC), which will review collected safety data semi-annually. Procedures for adverse event reporting are rigorous, following strict regulatory guidelines to ensure participant safety. Comprehensive strategies to retain and support study participants include regular follow-up contacts, adherence monitoring, patient education initiatives, and flexible scheduling for convenience. Data collected throughout the trial will be securely managed using electronic data capture systems with strict confidentiality and quality control protocols in place. Statistical analyses will involve standard intention-to-treat (ITT) methods and mixed-model statistical approaches to accurately determine treatment effectiveness and safety outcomes. Ultimately, the findings from this trial aim to inform clinical care guidelines for older adults with IBD and enhance clinical decision-making by providing robust, real-world evidence specific to the aging population.