Advances in the Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis—From Conventional Therapies to Targeted Biologics and Small Molecules

The goals of ulcerative colitis (UC) treatment are focused on improving quality of life, achieving steroid-free remission, and minimizing the risk of cancer. In UC traditional management, a step-up strategy involves introducing increasingly more immunosuppressive medications, thus avoiding unnecessary overexposure to more potent drugs. However, in cases of severe, acute UC, priority is rapid and effective treatment to minimize the risk of complications such as bleeding, intestinal perforation, toxic megacolon or the need for colectomy. Modern approach to UC management shifts to an "accelerated step-up" or "top-down" approach in high-risk patients to prevent bowel damage. A holistic approach-integrating molecular research, clinical management and patient-centered care-enhances our understanding of disease mechanisms and therapeutic strategies, ultimately supporting improved outcomes and overall quality of life. This review aims to present the treatment options for UC along with an overview of the most modern therapies and experimental agents.