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
A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy, Safety, and Pharmacokinetics (PK) of RO7837195 in Participants With Moderately to Severely Active Ulcerative Colitis (UC)
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of RO7837195 compared with placebo in participants with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis for whom prior treatment with conventional and/or advanced therapies has failed.
Study to Assess Change in Disease Activity of Risankizumab Treatment in Japanese Participants With Moderate to Severe Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation and bleeding from the lining of the rectum and colon (large intestine). This study will assess the change in disease activity of risankizumab treatment in adult participants with moderate to severe UC in real-world clinical practice. Risankizumab is an approved drug for treating participants with ulcerative colitis. Approximately 200 participants who are prescribed risankizumab by their physician in accordance with local label will be enrolled in approximately 30 sites across Japan. Participants will receive risankizumab as prescribed by their physician according to their routine clinical practice and local label. Participants will be followed for up to 156 weeks. There is expected to be no additional burden for participants in this trial. Participants will attend regular visits during the study at a hospital or clinic according to their routine clinical practice.