P590 ADVANCED-UC TRIAL: AppenDectomy Vs ANti TNF-a in inducing Clinical and EnDoscopic remission in left-sided Ulcerative Colitis – A Randomized Clinical Trial. (30th January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Luglio, G; Rispo, A; Tropeano, F P; Cricrì, M; Castiglione, F; De Palma, G D
• Is Part Of: Journal of Crohn's and colitis. Volume 17(2023)Supplement 1
• Page Start: i718
• Page End: i719
• Publication Date: 2023-01-30
• Subjects: Inflammatory bowel diseases -- Periodicals; 616.344005
• DOI: 10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjac190.0720
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1873-9946

Abstract

Abstract: Background: A considerable amount of evidence supports the immunomodulatory role of the appendix in the development and course of Ulcerative Colitis. Indeed, the appendix could act as either a reservoir for commensal bacteria or as the "priming site" for the cytokine production and the immunological cascade triggering inflammation in the colon. Therefore a potential role of the appendix in etiopathogenesis, treatment, prophylaxis and in the colectomy rate in UC has been hypothesized. Given the lack of randomized data on the topic, the ADVANCED-UC trial aims to assess to role of appendectomy in inducing remission in refractory left sided Ulcerative Colitis. Methods: Consecutive patients with left-sided UC refractory to conventional treatment and candidate to biologics will be randomized in the standard group (anti-TNF alpha) or in the intervention group (laparoscopic appendectomy). Primary endpoints: Steroid Free Clinical Remission, Endoscopic remission and Assessment of Quality of Life at 3 and 12 months. Secondary endpoints: Clinical Response, Failure Rate, Complication rate and Histological Remission at 3 and 12 months; Colectomy rate at 12, 24 and 60 months. To obtain a significance level of 5% and a test power of 90%, it is required a sample size of 148 patients (74 patients per group), assuming a 25% success rate in the control group and a 50% success rate in the experimental group. The study has been already approved by our local IRB (num. 340/21) and has been granted with the Spring Award from the Surgical Research Network by the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation (CCF). We plan to start the enrollment in 2023 and we are currently recruiting potential participating centers, to run a multicenter, randomized controlled trial Results: The findings of this study could support a change of treatment paradigm for patients refractory to conventional therapy: indeed, while an appendectomy can protect UC patients from the future use of expensive or potentially dangerous drugs, or even major surgery, the initial additional costs and potential side effects of appendectomy will be offset by substantial health gains and reduced costs later in time. On the other hand, patients undergoing appendectomy which do not experience disease remission and are forced to start biologics will be followed up for the evaluation of the colectomy rate to evaluate the possible synergic effect of appendectomy and biologics in reducing the need for total colectomy in the long term. Conclusion: The aim of this study is to define the role and effects of laparoscopic appendectomy as a therapeutic option in patients with UC refractory to conventional therapy who are candidates, in the first instance, for biologic anti-TNF-a therapy.