Diagnostic and Treatment Methods for Ulcerative Colitis and Colitis-Associated Cancer

In recent years, epidemiological studies have shown a significant increase of incidences regarding ulcerative colitis (UC) in most regions of the world. At present, a common therapeutic modality for inflammatory bowel disorders is the use of anti-inflammatory agents, including sulfasalazine and acetylsalicylic acid, steroid hormone, and other immunosuppressive agents. Most of these treatments are symptomatic and palliative because the etiology of the disease is not yet established. As a result of no proper drug available to treat UC, patients with UC are at a high risk of developing colitis-associated cancer (CAC). It is necessary to understand the genetic and molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of UC and CAC that lead to the path of new drug discoveries. Diagnostic and Treatment Methods for Ulcerative Colitis and Colitis-Associated Cancer provides innovative insights that describe the fundamental understanding of UC and CAC and the molecular mechanisms behind the etiology as well as modern diagnostic methods that are employed in UC and CAC. Current prevention and therapeutic strategies practiced in the pre-clinical level are also discussed. The content within this publication examines alternative medicine and dietary intervention and drug delivery techniques. It is designed for healthcare professionals, physicians, academicians, researchers, R&D organizations, and medical students involved in drug discovery and clinical and therapeutic research.