Application of a novel Ultraviolet-A light delivery device for the treatment of Ulcerative Proctitis.

In this project, we propose to harness the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of ultraviolet-A (UVA) light to manipulate the intestinal microbiome and reduce inflammation in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. Clinical trials for therapeutics in UC typically exclude patients with distal colitis/proctitis, and most patients do not achieve remission, even with optimized dosing of biologic therapy in combination with immunomodulators. To address this, we have developed a novel device to deliver UVA light to the rectum for the treatment of distal ulcerative colitis, and plan a clinical trial to assess treatment effects, safety and tolerability. Trial will be an open-label dose-escalating first-in-human trial in patients with ulcerative colitis. Clinical, histological, endoscopic and multi-omic signature of response will be documented as the basins for future planned pivotal trials.