Photodynamic Therapy for Ulcerative Colitis

Inclusion criteria: ? An established and documented diagnosis of UC * Moderate and severe active distal UC with a Mayo score of 6-10 and proctosigmoidoscopy score of 2 * Distal UC as assessed by proctosigmoidoscopy, i.e. major lesions between the sigmoid colon and rectum with lesions not extending the splenic flexure * Glucocorticosteroids, aminosalicylates and certain immunosuppressants are permitted under specific conditions as defined in the concomitant medication section Exclusion criteria: ? Have participated in any other investigational study or received an experimental therapeutic procedure considered to interfere with the study in the 4 weeks preceding SD1 * UC complications (e.g. strictures, pouchitis) * Use of the following immunosuppressants in 12 weeks preceding SD1: cyclosporine, thalidomide derivatives, mycophenolate mofetil * Use of antibiotics in 2 weeks preceding SD1 * Use of non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in 2 weeks preceding SD1 * Use of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) or other biologics in 8 weeks preceding SD1 * Porphyria, erythropoietic protoporphyria or hypersensitivity to porphyrins * Uncontrolled medical conditions, requiring surgical or pharmacological treatment * Inadequate bone marrow reserve: White blood cell (WBC) \< 3.5x109/L, neutrophils \< 1.0x109/L, thrombocytes \< 100x109/L, haemoglobin (Hb) \< 8.5 g/dL or coagulation abnormalities * Inadequate liver function: total bilirubin \> 1.5 x upper limit of normal values aspartat…