Erythrocytes-Mediated Delivery Of Dexamethasone 21-Phosphate In Steroid-Dependent Ulcerative Colitis

Objectives: The primary objective of this trial was to evaluate the patients response rate at the end of the study. Patients were considered responder if one of the following conditions occurs: * Disease remission (Powell Tuck ≤ 3 or CDAI \< 150) and withdrawal of oral steroids therapy from at least the second treatment procedure; * Disease marked improvement versus basal conditions (at least 5 point decrease in Powell Tuck index or 150 point decrease in CDAI score) and withdrawal of oral steroids therapy from at least the second treatment procedure. Secondary objectives: * to evaluate the endogenous cortisole production after receiving the study treatment * to evaluate the inflammatory indexes (ESR and CPR) after receiving the study treatment * to evaluate the endoscopic remission in patients suffering from mesalazine refractory Ulcerative Colitis * to evaluate the safety of dexamethasone intra-erythrocyte therapy with particular attention to steroid-related adverse events.