Molecular endoscopy to predict response to vedolizumab therapy in ulcerative colitis (C02+)

• Subject Area: Gastroenterology ; Immunology
• Term: from 2018 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 375876048

We established molecular endoscopy as a promising novel tool to predict responsiveness to biological therapies, as it prospectively analyses the correlation between in vivo mucosal target expression and effectiveness of a biological therapy directed against it. Topical application of a GMP-conform fluorescent antibody in conjunction with endomicroscopy led to the visualization of target cells, as we conducted a clinical phase II study to predict anti-TNF responsiveness in ulcerative colitis (UC). We now apply for initiation of a trial to predict response to vedolizumab treatment in UC patients, as this would further lead to a personalized approach in individual patients.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 241: Immune-Epithelial Communication in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
• Applicant Institution: Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Raja Atreya; Professor Dr. Christian Bojarski