Advanced Crohn’s Therapies Show Similar Safety

Large claims analysis finds no significant differences in serious infections, blood clots, or major cardiovascular events across biologics and a Janus kinase inhibitor.

By
Doug Brunk
February 19, 2026
2 min

Conexiant

Overview

A large analysis of over 12,000 Crohn’s disease patients revealed similar safety profiles among various biologics and a Janus kinase inhibitor. No significant differences were found in serious infections, venous thromboembolism, or major adverse cardiovascular events over approximately 27 months.

Background

Understanding the safety profiles of advanced therapies for Crohn's disease is crucial for clinicians as they navigate treatment options for patients. With multiple biologics and small molecules available, assessing safety is essential to optimize patient outcomes and minimize risks. This study provides valuable insights into the comparative safety of these therapies in a real-world setting.

Data Highlights

Therapy	Serious Infections (per 100 person-years)	Venous Thromboembolism (per 100 person-years)	Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (per 100 person-years)
All Therapies	5-9	~1	<2

Key Findings

No significant differences in serious infections across therapies.
Ustekinumab showed a lower risk of gastrointestinal serious infections compared to vedolizumab.
Venous thromboembolism rates were low, around 1 event per 100 person-years.
Major adverse cardiovascular events were uncommon, with rates below 2 events per 100 person-years.
Janus kinase inhibitors had a lower risk of inpatient or emergency department events in a sensitivity analysis.

Clinical Implications

Clinicians can consider the broadly similar safety profiles of advanced therapies when making treatment decisions for Crohn's disease. The findings support the use of various biologics and Janus kinase inhibitors without significant concern for serious adverse events. Ongoing monitoring and individualized patient assessment remain essential.

Conclusion

This study underscores the comparable safety of advanced Crohn’s therapies, providing reassurance for clinicians in their treatment choices. Further research may be needed to explore long-term outcomes and the impact of newer agents.