Positioning Therapy for Ulcerative Colitis

Curr Gastroenterol Rep. 2015 Aug;17(8):29. doi: 10.1007/s11894-015-0454-0.

Abstract

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the colon, characterized by diffuse mucosal inflammation, bloody diarrhea, and urgency. The mainstay of treatment has been mesalamine agents, steroids, thiopurines, and anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) antibodies. Over the past several years, new therapies have emerged which have provided clinicians new treatment options as well as new challenges in deciding which treatment is best for their patient at given points in their disease course. These agents include budesonide-Multi-Matrix System (MMX), adalimumab, golimumab, and vedolizumab. In addition, randomized controlled trials have investigated a combination therapy of infliximab and azathioprine and a controlled trial of infliximab versus cyclosporine for intravenous steroid refractory UC. This review will focus on where these agents may be optimally positioned in treatment algorithms for UC.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adalimumab / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / therapeutic use
  • Budesonide / therapeutic use
  • Colitis, Ulcerative / drug therapy*
  • Gastrointestinal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Gastrointestinal Agents
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Budesonide
  • golimumab
  • vedolizumab
  • Adalimumab