[Update on the treatment of ulcerative colitis]

The present article reports highlights on the treatment of ulcerative colitis presented at Digestive Disease Week 2008. On the basis of the preliminary results presented, intravenous infusion of encapsulated dexamethasone may help to improve outcomes, both in terms of efficacy and toxicity in patients requiring steroids. Once-daily dosing of 5-ASA/ mesalamine is likely to be well received by patients now that this dosing regimen appears to be as effective as multiple daily dosing both in inducing remission and as maintenance therapy, whether administered orally or as a suppository. New data on the pharmacokinetics and toxicity of immunosuppressive agents and data extracted from the pivotal ACT studies (infliximab for ulcerative colitis) were presented. Among the newer agents in the pipeline, a probiotic preparation (VSL#3) may prove helpful in inducing remission in patients with ulcerative colitis associated with 5-ASA.