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Original Articles

Efficacy and safety of ozanimod in Japanese patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis naive to immunomodulators or advanced therapies: post hoc analysis of the phase 2/3 J-True North study: Tadakazu Hisamatsu, Toshimitsu Fujii, Hiroshi Nakase, Katsuyoshi Matsuoka, Masayuki Saruta, Taku Kobayashi, Seika Inoue, Kazuhiro Toriyama, Dong Wang, Yoko Uchikawa, Go Fujimoto, Toshifumi Hibi; Received January 23, 2026 Accepted May 4, 2026 Published online July 10, 2026; DOI: https://doi.org/10.5217/ir.2026.00031 [Epub ahead of print]

Abstract PDF Supplementary Material PubReader ePub: Background/Aims
There is limited evidence for ozanimod, an oral sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulator, in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) before treatment is escalated to an immunomodulator (IM) or advanced therapy (AT), including biologics and Janus kinase inhibitors.
Methods
We performed post hoc analyses to examine the efficacy and safety of ozanimod 0.92 mg versus placebo in a subgroup of Japanese IM-/AT-naive patients with moderately to severely active UC, without concomitant corticosteroids (CS), enrolled in the randomized J-True North study.
Results
The analyses comprised 29 and 30 patients treated with ozanimod 0.92 mg and placebo, respectively. The clinical response rate was significantly greater in the ozanimod group at Week 12 (75.9% vs. 40.0%; P=0.0103) and Week 52 (62.1% vs. 16.7%; P=0.0010). Clinical remission, endoscopic improvement, and histologic remission rates at Weeks 12 and 52 were significantly better in the ozanimod group. Changes in the rectal bleeding subscore, stool frequency subscore, symptomatic response, and symptomatic remission were apparent by Week 2 in both groups, and tended to be better in the ozanimod group from Week 5 onward. Treatment-emergent adverse events occurred in 79.3% and 63.3% of patients in the ozanimod and placebo groups, respectively; the most frequent were nasopharyngitis (ozanimod vs. placebo: 17.2% vs. 13.3%) and pyrexia (13.8% vs. 10.0%, respectively).
Conclusions
This subgroup analysis demonstrated that ozanimod 0.92 mg was significantly more effective than placebo in Japanese IM-/AT-naive UC patients without concomitant CS therapy, consistent with the results of global trials. The safety profile of ozanimod 0.92 mg was consistent with prior studies. ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03915769) and the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (jRCT2080224654)

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Safety and effectiveness of budesonide rectal foam for ulcerative colitis in a large-scale, multicenter, prospective observational study: final report of post-marketing surveillance in Japan: Masayuki Saruta, Teppei Omori, Akira Nagaki, Yuki Arai, Minami Umeyama, Shinsuke Kurosu, Kiyotoshi Kuramoto, Yasuo Suzuki; Received July 31, 2025 Accepted November 13, 2025 Published online February 11, 2026; DOI: https://doi.org/10.5217/ir.2025.00164 [Epub ahead of print]

Abstract PDF Supplementary Material PubReader ePub: Background/Aims
Budesonide rectal foam was approved in Japan in 2017 for mild to moderate active ulcerative colitis (UC). This is the final report of post-marketing surveillance to evaluate real-world safety and effectiveness.
Methods
This Japanese large-scale, prospective, multicenter, open-label observational study included patients with active-phase mild to moderate UC newly started on budesonide 2 mg rectal foam. Safety was evaluated by adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Effectiveness was evaluated using clinical remission rates and partial Mayo scores. Effectiveness by background (disease phenotype, severity, clinical course, age, prior topical therapy, baseline advanced therapy [biologicals/Janus kinase inhibitors]) was also assessed.
Results
There were 633 and 503 patients in the safety and effectiveness analyses, respectively. ADRs occurred in 4.3% (27/633) of patients. Eight glucocorticoid-related ADRs occurred in 7 patients (1.1%). Clinical remission rates were 44.2% (165/373), 72.1% (191/265), and 69.8% (333/477) at week 2, week 6, and the final evaluation, respectively. There were statistically significant changes from baseline in partial Mayo scores at all timepoints (all P< 0.0001 vs. baseline). At 2, 4, 6, and 6–12 weeks, mean± standard deviation changes from baseline in partial Mayo scores were −2.1 ± 1.9, −2.7 ± 2.1, −3.1 ± 2.3, and −3.4 ± 2.3 points, respectively. Statistically significant improvements were maintained at all timepoints in subgroup analyses by background (disease phenotype, severity, clinical course, age, prior topical therapy, baseline advanced therapy).
Conclusions
No new safety concerns were identified. Partial Mayo score improved in a variety of patient background factors. Health condition improvements were confirmed in this Japanese post-marketing surveillance. (Japan Registry of Clinical Trials, identifier jRCT1080223802)

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IBD

Treatment patterns and outcomes in patients with steroid-dependent ulcerative colitis in Japan: a claims database study: Masayuki Saruta, Takumi Sugiyama, Takumi Tajima, Chisa Nagakura, Yan Zhong, Toshihiko Kaise; Intest Res 2026;24(2):366-375. Published online November 13, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.5217/ir.2025.00032

Abstract PDF Supplementary Material PubReader ePub: Background/Aims
Guidelines recommend that steroid treatment for ulcerative colitis (UC) is tapered or withdrawn within 3 months of initiation, and thiopurine treatment or advanced therapy is administered for steroid-dependent UC. This study aimed to clarify real-world treatment patterns and outcomes in patients with steroid-dependent UC in Japan.
Methods
A retrospective analysis of JMDC (Japan Medical Data Center) claims data was conducted to identify patients with a new UC diagnosis between June 2010 and September 2019. Index dates were the UC treatment start date (initiation of any UC treatment), steroid dependence/resistance confirmation date (identification of steroid-dependent UC), and treatment intensification date (initiation of thiopurine treatment/advanced therapy).
Results
Of 5,602 patients with newly diagnosed UC, 986 (17.6%) initiated steroids within 12 months (85.4% [842/986] received 5-aminosalicylic acid at the UC treatment start date). Of these 986 patients, 429 (43.5%) were classified as steroid-dependent (steroid dependence/resistance confirmation date). Of these 429 patients, 128 (29.8%) initiated thiopurine treatment and 75 (17.5%) initiated advanced therapy (treatment intensification date); 226 (52.7%) continued with steroids only. Across these groups, 3-6% discontinued steroids within 3 months of initiation. Hospitalization due to UC in the 12 months after the treatment intensification date occurred in 24.2% (31/128) and 18.7% (14/75) of patients who initiated thiopurine and advanced therapy, respectively.
Conclusions
Over half of patients with steroid-dependent UC continued steroid treatment only. Steroid discontinuation within 3 months of initiation was low, irrespective of whether thiopurines or advanced therapy were initiated. Management of patients with steroid-dependent UC in Japan requires further treatment optimization toward guideline adherence.

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IBD

Ulcerative colitis disease severity affects the speed of symptom relief under filgotinib treatment: a post hoc analysis of the phase 2b/3 SELECTION study: Masayuki Saruta, Silvio Danese, Yoshie Takatori, Toshihiko Kaise, Christine Rudolph, Marc Ferrante, Toshifumi Hibi; Intest Res 2026;24(2):329-340. Published online June 30, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.5217/ir.2024.00169

Abstract PDF Supplementary Material PubReader ePub

Background/Aims
Filgotinib is an oral, once-daily, Janus kinase 1 preferential inhibitor approved for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). This study aimed to assess symptomatic response with filgotinib 200 mg (FIL200) according to disease severity using baseline partial Mayo Clinic Score (pMCS).
Methods
In the phase 2b/3 SELECTION study (NCT02914522), adults with moderate-to-severe UC were randomized to receive FIL200, filgotinib 100 mg, or placebo for 11 weeks in induction studies A (biologic-naive) and B (biologic-experienced). In this post hoc analysis, symptomatic remission (Mayo rectal bleeding subscore of 0 and stool frequency subscore ≤ 1) rates were assessed daily from baseline to day 15 and fortnightly from week 2 to week 10 by baseline pMCS (pMCS ≥ 7, pMCS < 7) in patients who received induction FIL200.
Results
Of those who received FIL200 in induction studies A and B, 90 and 148 patients had a pMCS ≥ 7, and 155 and 114 had a pMCS < 7, respectively. Symptomatic remission rates were generally significantly higher in the pMCS < 7 than ≥ 7 group from day 2–15 (day 2: 8.4% vs. 1.1%, P= 0.009 [induction study A]; 8.8% vs. 0.7%, P= 0.004 [induction study B]). However, by week 10, there was no longer a significant difference in the rates between the pMCS ≥ 7 and < 7 groups (43.3% vs. 54.8%, P= 0.124 [induction study A]; 26.4% vs. 39.5%, P= 0.099 [induction study B]).
Conclusions
Symptomatic response to FIL200 occurred more rapidly in the less severe disease groups than in the more severe disease groups; however, regardless of disease severity, both groups benefited from continued FIL200 treatment.

Citations

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Efficacy and safety of ozanimod in Japanese patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis naive to immunomodulators or advanced therapies: post hoc analysis of the phase 2/3 J-True North study
Tadakazu Hisamatsu, Toshimitsu Fujii, Hiroshi Nakase, Katsuyoshi Matsuoka, Masayuki Saruta, Taku Kobayashi, Seika Inoue, Kazuhiro Toriyama, Dong Wang, Yoko Uchikawa, Go Fujimoto, Toshifumi Hibi
Intestinal Research.2026;[Epub] CrossRef

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1 Crossref

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

A meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of Janus kinase inhibitors in patients with ulcerative colitis
Qingqing Yang, Yuerong Yan
Medicine.2026; 105(19): e48637. CrossRef
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
Shintaro Akiyama, Kaoru Yokoyama, Soichi Yagi, Shinichiro Shinzaki, Kozo Tsuruta, Shinichiro Yoshioka, Minako Sako, Hiromichi Shimizu, Mariko Kobayashi, Toshiyuki Sakurai, Kei Nomura, Tomoyoshi Shibuya, Masahiro Takahara, Sakiko Hiraoka, Kyohei Sugai, Shu
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

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17 Web of Science
15 Crossref

Inflammatory bowel diseases

Anti-MAdCAM-1 antibody (PF-00547659) for active refractory Crohn’s disease in Japanese and Korean patients: the OPERA study: Masayuki Saruta, Dong Il Park, Young-Ho Kim, Suk-Kyun Yang, Byung-Ik Jang, Jae Hee Cheon, Jong Pil Im, Takanori Kanai, Tatsuro Katsuno, Yoh Ishiguro, Makoto Nagaoka, Naoki Isogawa, Yinhua Li, Anindita Banerjee, Alaa Ahmad, Mina Hassan-Zahraee, Robert Clare, Kenneth J. Gorelick, Fabio Cataldi, Mamoru Watanabe, Toshifumi Hibi; Intest Res 2020;18(1):45-55. Published online January 30, 2020; DOI: https://doi.org/10.5217/ir.2019.00039

Abstract PDF PubReader ePub

Background/Aims
PF-00547659 is a monoclonal antibody against human mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 (MAdCAM-1) that prevents the binding of α4β7+ lymphocytes to MAdCAM-expressing sites in the gastrointestinal tract with high affinity and selectivity, and is being developed for the treatment of Crohn’s disease (CD).
Methods
OPERA is a randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to investigate the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of PF-00547659 following subcutaneous administration in subjects with active CD, a history of failure or intolerance to anti-tumor necrosis factor and/or immunosuppressants, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein > 3.0 mg/L, and ulcers on colonoscopy. The primary endpoint was Crohn’s Disease Activity Index-70 response at week 8 or 12. Subpopulation analyses for Asian subjects were performed as some differences are observed in genetics and clinical phenotypes in Asian CD patients compared with Western patients.
Results
In this study, 265 CD subjects were randomized, with a subpopulation of 21 subjects (8 Japanese and 13 Korean) defined as the Asian population. In the overall and Asian populations; PF-00547659 was pharmacologically active as evidenced by soluble MAdCAM and circulating β7+ central memory CD4+ T-lymphocytes, although no clear evidence of efficacy was observed in any clinical endpoints; pharmacokinetics of PF-00547659 in the Asian subpopulation was generally comparable to the overall population; and the safety profile of PF-00547659 appeared acceptable up to 12 weeks of treatment.
Conclusions
In the overall and Asian populations, efficacy of PF-00547659 could not be demonstrated using any clinical endpoints compared with placebo. Pharmacokinetics and safety of PF-00547659 were generally comparable. Further studies with larger numbers of patients are required to confirm our results. (Trial Registration Number: NCT01276509)

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Development of New Molecularly Targeted Agents in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Hiroshi Nakase
Internal Medicine.2026; 65(2): 214. CrossRef
Soluble mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule 1 is a biomarker for pediatric ulcerative colitis
Moritz Muschaweck, Christian Gutbier, Gernot Sellge, Angeliki Pappa, Tobias Wenzl, Karim Hamesch, Norbert Wagner, Angela Schippers
Molecular and Cellular Pediatrics.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
Novel Histone Deacetylase 6 Inhibitor Confers Anti-inflammatory Effects and Enhances Gut Barrier Function
Jae-Young Lee, Hyun Woo Ma, Ji Hyung Kim, I Seul Park, Mijeong Son, Keun Ho Ryu, Jieun Shin, Seung Won Kim, Jae Hee Cheon
Gut and Liver.2023; 17(5): 766. CrossRef
Downregulation of Heat Shock Protein 72 Contributes to Fibrostenosis in Crohn’s Disease
Seung Won Kim, Jae-Young Lee, Han Cheol Lee, Jae Bum Ahn, Ji Hyung Kim, I Seul Park, Jae Hee Cheon, Duk Hwan Kim
Gut and Liver.2023; 17(6): 905. CrossRef
Targeting Immune Cell Trafficking – Insights From Research Models and Implications for Future IBD Therapy
Maximilian Wiendl, Emily Becker, Tanja M. Müller, Caroline J. Voskens, Markus F. Neurath, Sebastian Zundler
Frontiers in Immunology.2021;[Epub] CrossRef
Renin–angiotensin system in intestinal inflammation—Angiotensin inhibitors to treat inflammatory bowel diseases?
Hanne Salmenkari, Riitta Korpela, Heikki Vapaatalo
Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology.2021; 129(3): 161. CrossRef
Anti-integrin drugs in clinical trials for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): insights into promising agents
Virginia Solitano, Tommaso Lorenzo Parigi, Elisa Ragaini, Silvio Danese
Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs.2021; 30(10): 1037. CrossRef
Emerging therapeutic options in inflammatory bowel disease
Jesus K Yamamoto-Furusho, Norma N Parra-Holguín
World Journal of Gastroenterology.2021; 27(48): 8242. CrossRef
New agents for immunosuppression
André Jefremow, Markus F. Neurath
Best Practice & Research Clinical Gastroenterology.2021; 54-55: 101763. CrossRef

19,892 View
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9 Crossref

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