Budesonide for Ulcerative Proctitis

Budesonide is in clinical development for ulcerative proctitis. Ulcerative proctitis is a mild form of ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) consisting of small ulcers that develop on the colon’s lining, which can cause rectal bleeding and recurring diarrhoea. About a quarter of the patients that are diagnosed with ulcerative colitis may also have ulcerative proctitis. Ulcerative proctitis first occurs when there is inflammation that begins in the last part of the large bowel. The main symptoms of ulcerative proctitis are blood in the stool and diarrhoea (most common symptom).
Budesonide is a second-generation corticosteroid that will be administered as a suppository. The mechanism of action of budesonide has not been completely understood however, it appears to decrease inflammation. Rectal therapy also provides higher drug concentrations at the site of inflammation. If licenced, budesonide may offer an additional treatment option for patients with ulcerative proctitis.