A controlled clinical study involving 860 patients showed that infliximab (brand name: Remicade), a drug currently used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease, is also effective as an alternative treatment for ulcerative colitis.

"For people with active ulcerative colitis who do not respond to corticosteroids or immunosuppressive agents, infliximab is effective in inducing clinical remission, inducing clinical response, promoting mucosal healing and reducing the need for colectomy, at least in the short term," said review co-author Dr. Anthony Kwaku Akobeng.

Critics say, however that further tests, including a direct comparison of infliximab with cyclosporine, another drug commonly used when other medications fail.

[Image: Endoscopic image of ulcerative colitis affecting the left side of the colon. The image shows confluent superficial ulceration and loss of mucosal architecture. Source: Wikipedia]