STOP - Safety and efficacy of a STOPping strategy versus classical maintenance dose of JAK inhibitors in deep remission patients with ulcerative colitis: a randomized controlled trial

Ulcerative colitis is a lifelong condition where the lining of the large bowel becomes swollen and inflamed. To help control flare-ups and calm the gut, many patients take a class of targeted medicines known as JAK inhibitors. These include medicines like filgotinib (Jyseleca), tofacitinib (Xeljanz), and upadacitinib (Rinvoq). For many, these tablets are very successful and bring about 'deep remission'—a state where symptoms vanish and camera checks show that the bowel lining has fully healed.

While continuing these tablets helps prevent future flare-ups, long-term use can sometimes lead to unwanted side effects, such as a higher chance of developing shingles, other infections, or blood vessel issues. Because of this, doctors want to know if it is strictly necessary to stay on these tablets forever once the bowel has completely healed.

The STOP trial aims to answer this question. Researchers are comparing two strategies: stopping the JAK inhibitor under close medical supervision versus continuing with standard daily doses. By studying both groups over two years, the researchers want to find out whether pausing treatment is safe, whether it reduces side effects, and how it impacts day-to-day happiness and health.

This research is important because it could spare many patients from taking unnecessary medications for years on end. At the same time, it will help doctors establish clear safety plans to restart treatment quickly if a patient's symptoms begin to return.