Unravelling Intestinal Fibrosis in Ulcerative Colitis

Unravelling Intestinal Fibrosis in Ulcerative Colitis

The main objectives are: (i) to identify candidate fibrotic cellular pathways in UC patients treated with a JAK inhibitor filgotinib), and (ii) to detect and monitor in vivo fibrosis in UC patients using FAPi-PET/CT imaging

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults with confirmed diagnosis of UC - Group 1 criterion: ≥18 years of age regardless of gender
• Group 2 criterion: ≥30 years of age for males and ≥40 years of age for females
• Active disease confirmed by endoscopy (endoscopic Mayo score ≥ 2)
• Indication to start treatment with filgotinib

AND one of the following criteria:

• Active disease confirmed by intestinal ultrasound (BWT > 3 mm in at least one bowel segment and at least one other pathological IUS parameter) or
• Increased CRP (>5 mg/L) and/or fecal calprotectin levels (>250 mg/kg)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnancy
• Unable to provide informed consent
• Colorectal carcinoma or high-grade dysplasia