Etrasimod Appears Effective in Eosinophilic Esophagitis: Phase 2 Study

Prospect of Another EoE Treatment

In an interview with GI & Hepatology News, Scott Gabbard, MD, a gastroenterologist at Cleveland Clinic, said, “For so many years, there was no FDA approved therapy [for EoE]. Now, we do have an FDA approved therapy.”

The FDA approved the first treatment for EoE — dupilumab (Dupixent) — last year.

“It’s exciting to suddenly have the prospect of more options for patients with EoE. We can see multiple other options for our patients who sorely need therapy coming down the pipeline,” Dr. Gabbard said.

The data support further investigation, with only about one potential concern drawing attention during the presentation, he added.

“Overall, there were no serious adverse events,” Dr. Gabbard said. “There was clearly a change in baseline and overall symptom scores.”

In an email exchange with GI & Hepatology News, Jennifer Horsley-Silva, MD, of the Mayo Clinic, said the VOYAGE study was important because it serves as a proof of concept that targeting S1P receptors can affect EoE.

“A limitation of the study is it was conducted in a specific group of patients with EoE: a substantial number were refractory to corticosteroids, and over half had prior esophageal dilations,” she wrote.

Pfizer sponsored the VOYAGE trial. Dr. Dellon indicated no relevant financial relationships. Dr. Horsley Silva has research funding from Regeneron/Sanofi, Allakos, Celgene, Bristol Myers Squibb, and has participated in an advisory board for Sanofi Genzyme. No disclosures were included for Dr. Gabbard and no recent paper is available in PubMed for Dr. Horsley-Silva.