The Use of Vedolizumab in Patients with Concomitant Cirrhosis and Crohn’s Disease

Abstract

Vedolizumab is a humanized monoclonal alpha4beta7 integrin antibody used in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Limited data are available on the use of vedolizumab in patients with concurrent cirrhosis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Patients with cirrhosis are unique, as they have a predilection for developing opportunistic infections and malignancies. Additionally, it is not known if vedolizumab alters the natural course of cirrhosis. We report our experience in three patients with concomitant CD and cirrhosis, who were treated with vedolizumab. In our limited cohort, all the three patients tolerated vedolizumab well. None of them experienced significant infectious complications, nor did any have decompensated cirrhosis. Our limited series suggest that vedolizumab is well tolerated in patients with compensated cirrhosis.