Etrasimod for the Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and its receptor (S1PR) are involved in the pathogenesis of multiple immune-mediated inflammatory disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease. The use of S1PR modulators represents a new therapeutic option for ulcerative colitis patients. Etrasimod is an oral selective S1PR1, S1PR4 and S1PR5 modulator that inhibits the trafficking of lymphocytes from the lymph nodes into the blood. Recently, etrasimod has demonstrated efficacy in the phase II OASIS study and its open-label extension for the treatment of ulcerative colitis patients. This article reviews the mechanism of action of etrasimod and summarizes the available clinical efficacy and safety data regarding etrasimod, which is a promising drug in the treatment of patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis.