Predicting the effectiveness of anti-TNF-α treatment in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Intestinal Ultrasound Combined With Visceral Adipose Tissue Predicts Anti-TNF-α Efficacy in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: a Prospective Study

Observational The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University · NCT06165029

This study is testing if using ultrasound and measuring body fat can help doctors figure out which patients with inflammatory bowel disease will benefit most from a specific treatment.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment50 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 80 Years
SexAll
SponsorThe Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsustekinumab, infliximab
Locations1 site (Changsha, Hunan)
Trial IDNCT06165029 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to evaluate the efficacy of anti-TNF-α therapy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by using intestinal ultrasound and measuring visceral adipose tissue. It focuses on identifying predictors of treatment response to help clinicians determine which patients are most likely to benefit from this therapy. The study will include patients aged 18 to 80 years who have newly diagnosed or relapsed active IBD and are scheduled to start anti-TNF-α therapy. The goal is to improve treatment outcomes and reduce the burden of ineffective therapies.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adults aged 18 to 80 with newly diagnosed or relapsed active inflammatory bowel disease who are about to start anti-TNF-α therapy.

Not a fit: Patients with contraindications to anti-TNF-α therapy or those with a history of extensive colectomy may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to more personalized treatment plans for patients with IBD, improving their response to anti-TNF-α therapy.

How similar studies have performed: While the approach of using predictors for treatment response is common, the specific combination of intestinal ultrasound and visceral adipose tissue measurement in this context is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age ≥ 18 years and ≤ 80 years;
* Patients with newly diagnosed or relapsed active IBD;
* Anti-TNF-α monotherapy is proposed to be applied within 1 month after baseline endoscopy;
* No history of abdominal surgery;
* Clearly understand, voluntarily participate in the study, and sign an informed consent form.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Contraindications to anti-TNF-α therapy: allergy, active tuberculosis or other active infections, moderate-to-severe heart failure (NYHA grade III/IV), demyelinating lesions of the nervous system, live vaccination within the last 3 months, pregnancy and lactation;
* Patients with a history of extensive colectomy or recent proposed colectomy, history of colonic mucosal dysplasia;
* Hypersensitivity to the components of SonoVue contrast media.

Where this trial is running

Changsha, Hunan

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Inflammatory Bowel DiseasesIntestinal UltrasoundVisceral Adipose TissueTNF-αPredictors
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.