Experimental drug reportedly effective for ulcerative colitis

Ozanimid (RPC1063), a novel drug molecule has been reported as moderately effective for treatment of ulcerative colitis, according to a study conducted by University of California researchers. The study results appear in the journal New England Journal of Medicine.

Ulcerative colitis is an autoimmune disorder that is characterized by chronic diarrhea and related symptoms as a result of infiltrative accumulation of T-cells in the gut lining. These events lead to persistent, painful bowel movements. These patents suffer weight loss with intestinal bleeding, bowel obstruction and increased risk of colon cancer.

RPC1063 attenuates the recruitment of inflammatory lymphocytes by modulating sphingosine-1 phosphate receptors and inhibits inflammatory immunological injury.

RPC1063 traps these inflammatory cells right in the lymph nodes and prevents elution into the gut, which is the site of inflammation. By which, the mucosal lining inflammation may subside and patient can remain in remission.

Unlike currently available drugs, one milligram of oral RPC1063 can achieve clinical remission at week eight. The drug does not cause immunosuppression and hence no increased risk of infection or malignancies. The common adverse event reported after RPC1063 use was headache and anemia.