Vedolizumab therapy in relatively patient with ulcerative colitis

Abstract

A patient (56 years old) who developed ulcerative colitis (UC) in 11 achieved remission with oral mesalazine. In January 20XX, the patient (63 years old) visited our hospital for diarrhea and bloody stools. Colonoscopy (CS) findings resulted in a diagnosis of total UC and remission was achieved with high-dose steroid therapy (prednisolone). In November 20XX+8 (64 years old), worsening diarrhea and bloody stools prompted CS, which led to a diagnosis of relapsed UC. Oral prednisolone (PSL) 30 mg was administered but the disease was refractory to treatment. We considered immunosuppressive therapy but given the advanced age of the patient (64 years old) and COVID-19 pandemic, VED therapy was chosen as the safer option. In the tenth week of VED therapy, a medical examination revealed clinical remission. After approx. 1 year of VED therapy, CS revealed a healed mucosa after the patient experienced no infections, including COVID-19, and no adverse events. VED is considered a very safe therapeutic that acts selectively on gut immunity and does not cause systemic immune suppression. Given an increasing number of elderly patients with UC and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there is a growing need for VED.