What the trial was testing
The ELEVATE UC 52 enrolled 787 patients with ulcerative colitis. The study was sponsored by Pfizer and tracked outcomes across the full group of patients who matched the trial's eligibility profile.
It was a large trial designed to confirm whether the treatment works well enough for wider use. Trials at this stage are designed to produce evidence regulators and physicians can act on — not just observations to follow up later.
What the results showed
27% reached clinical remission at one year — vs. 7% on placebo.
The Lancet · 2023 · NCT03996369
These findings — that of patients in clinical remission at 52 weeks on etrasimod vs. placebo — were published in the The Lancet and represent the headline result of the study.
Researchers tracked outcomes across 787 patients enrolled in the trial. The result was consistent enough across the group that the team felt confident reporting it.
What this means for patients
For patients with ulcerative colitis, this result changes the calculus on what to ask their care team about. Whether it changes day-to-day care depends on factors like disease subtype, prior treatments, and where the patient is in their care journey.
What you can do now
Etrasimod (Velsipity) is FDA-approved for moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis in adults and available now. It is a once-daily pill — no injections or infusions. Heart-rhythm checks and a vaccination check are needed before starting. Ask your gastroenterologist whether it fits your treatment history.
Eligibility for the treatments mentioned above depends on specific test results and clinical history. Bring this summary, the trial name, and your most recent labs or pathology report to your next visit.
Open ulcerative colitis trials
Pregnancy and Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory Bowel disease, including Crohn's disease and Ulcerative Colitis, are chronic diseases. Diagnosis is most often done in women of childbearing age. IBD can have and increase the risk of intrauterine growth retardation, preterm birth… Conversely, pregnancy can have an impact on IBD activity during pregnancy. Moreover, IBD course can be influence in post-partum. The investigators will explore IBD course on 945 patients from the EPIMAD register. The investigators will cross the data on the IBD with data on pregnancy, postpartum but also breastfeeding. The principal aim of this study is to assess the number of flares during pregnancy.
A Study to Evaluate the Pharmacokinetics, Safety and Efficacy of Afimkibart (RO7790121) in Children With Moderately to Severely Active Ulcerative Colitis
This Phase III, randomized, double-blind, multicenter, induction and maintenance study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of Afimkibart (RO7790121) in pediatric participants with moderate to severe active ulcerative colitis (UC).