Reducing ustekinumab dosing for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis

Pilot Study to Assess De-escalation of Ustekinumab Therapy in Patients With Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis

Phase 4 Interventional McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre · NCT07303686

This will try giving ustekinumab less often—changing from every 4 or 8 weeks to every 8 or 12 weeks—to see if people with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis in deep remission can stay well.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 4
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment115 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorMcGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsustekinumab
Locations1 site (Montreal, Quebec)
Trial IDNCT07303686 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Adults with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis who are in deep remission on ustekinumab will switch from 90 mg subcutaneous injections every 4 weeks to every 8 weeks, or from every 8 weeks to every 12 weeks, and be followed for 12 months. Clinic visits are scheduled roughly every 12 weeks for blood tests, measurement of drug levels and inflammatory markers, and periodic endoscopic assessment of mucosal healing. Investigators will track clinical, biochemical, and endoscopic remission rates and monitor for disease relapse after dose reduction. The goal is to determine whether less frequent dosing maintains remission while reducing medication exposure.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis in clinical, biochemical, and endoscopic remission on ustekinumab who are off corticosteroids and able to attend follow-up visits and provide informed consent.

Not a fit: Patients not in deep remission, those using corticosteroids or multiple biologics, pregnant individuals, or people unable to comply with visits or follow-up are unlikely to benefit from dose reduction.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, patients could remain in remission with fewer injections, which may reduce side effects, costs, and clinic visits.

How similar studies have performed: Dose de-escalation of biologic therapies has been explored in other IBD studies with mixed results, and there is limited specific evidence for ustekinumab, so this approach remains relatively under-tested for UST.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Clinical remission
* Biochemical remission
* Endoscopy remission
* Not on corticosteroid
* A woman must be ;
* not of childbearing potential
* of childbearing potential and practicing a medically accepted method of contraception.
* Able t provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* On more than one biologics drug
* Use of oral or topical steroids within 6months of study entry
* pregnancy
* Any issue that could lead to non-compliance, as alcohol, drug use
* Unable to provide consent or t comply with follw-up visit

Where this trial is running

Montreal, Quebec

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 Crohn DiseaseUlcerative ColitisCDUCustekinumabUST
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.