Traditional medical treatment of ulcerative colitis is based on induction and maintenance of remission with drugs such as 5-asa's, corticosteroids and immunosuppressants. Although these conventional therapies are effective at suppressing disease activity for many, a substantial number of patients are refractory to these treatments. Additionally some of these agents are associated with significant adverse events (1).
Research efforts continue to identify potential targets or inflammation in the pathogenesis of UC such as cytokines (e.g., TNF-alpha), growth factors, and cellular adhesion molecules for which therapeutic agents may be developed (1). Current biologic options are limited.
- Campieri M, Rizzello F, Gionchetti P. Maintenance of remission in ulcerative colitis. In Satsangi J, Sutherland LR, eds. Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. London: Churchill Livingstone. Elsevier Limited, 2003: 419-430.