Golimumab in Steroid-dependent Ulcerative Colitis: Induction and Maintenance of Clinical and Endoscopic Remission

Inclusion Criteria: * patients aged 18-65 years * ability to understand the study procedures and sign the informed consent * ulcerative colitis diagnosed at least 6 months before * no previous exposure to anti-TNFs * Global Mayo score ≥ 6 (with endoscopic sub-score ≥2) at baseline * steroid-dependent disease * women of childbearing potential must accept effective contraception during study participation and for at leas 6 months after the end of study participation Exclusion Criteria: * Crohn's disease or undetermined colitis * active infections or previous infections not completely resolved at baseline * malignancies in the previous 5 years * suspected latent tuberculosis infection * every other potentially harmful clinical condition, in the opinion of the investigator * patients with moderately to severe heart failure (NYHA class III/IV) * hepatic or renal failure * pregnant or lactating women or women planning a pregnancy between baseline and the 3 months after study completion * not permitted concomitant medications