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Ulcerative colitis: current treatment strategies and future prospects
Sagar Garud1, Mark A Peppercorn
1Dept of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA sgarud@bidmc.harvard.edu.
Therapeutic Advances in Gastroenterology
|December 25, 2010
Summary
Ulcerative colitis (UC) management involves conventional drugs, alternative therapies like probiotics, and emerging treatments. This review covers current and evolving options for UC patients.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease affecting the colon.
- Its exact cause remains unknown, impacting mucosal and submucosal layers.
- Current UC treatments include aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, and immunomodulators.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review conventional drugs, alternative therapies, and evolving treatment strategies for ulcerative colitis.
- To discuss management approaches based on UC severity and extent.
- To highlight new biologic agents and investigational drugs for UC.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of established and emerging ulcerative colitis treatments.
- Discussion of therapeutic options including pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions.
- Analysis of treatment strategies tailored to disease characteristics.
Main Results:
- Conventional therapies include aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, azathioprine/6-mercaptopurine, cyclosporine, and anti-TNF agents.
- Alternative therapies encompass probiotics, nicotine, and fish oil.
- Investigational drugs such as tacrolimus, rosiglitazone, and Trichuris suis ova are under evaluation.
Conclusions:
- Ulcerative colitis treatment is evolving with new biologic agents and therapeutic options.
- Management strategies must be individualized based on disease severity and extent.
- A comprehensive approach integrating conventional, alternative, and novel therapies is crucial for UC patients.
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