Infliximab (IFX) transformed inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) care when it was introduced as the first biologic therapy for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Now, a subcutaneous (SC) formulation may represent the next evolution.
A review of published evidence shows that SC infliximab achieves higher and more stable serum drug levels compared with intravenous (IV) administration, with fewer neutralizing antibodies and comparable remission rates. Real-world data suggest that switching stable patients from IV to SC IFX (120 mg) is well tolerated and associated with a low relapse risk.
Beyond pharmacokinetics, SC IFX offers practical advantages:
- At-home administration
- Improved patient convenience
- High acceptance rates
- Reduced infusion-center burden
While SC infliximab supports a more patient-centered, long-term treatment model, important questions remain — particularly regarding its positioning across different patient subgroups and treatment algorithms.