Response to azathioprine in ulcerative colitis

Summary Ulcerative colitis is considered to be the result of an immunopathological reaction in the wall of the colon. Hence 7 patients with ulcerative colitis, including 2 with extracolonic features, were treated with the immunosuppressive drugs 6-mercaptopurine and azathioprine, mostly on a long-term basis. Six of the 7 patients showed varying degrees of clinical improvement. The most noteworthy effect was a striking decrease in lymphoid infiltration in the rectal mucosa.We are indebted to Dr. George Hitchings and Dr. Gertrude Elion of the Wellcome Research Laboratories, Burroughs Wellcome & Co. (U.S.A.) Inc., for generous supplies of azathioprine (Imuran).Aided by a grant from The National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia.Drug Houses of Australia Fellow for 1964.