The present invention relates to methods of preventing or reducing the need of colectomy. In particular, the present invention relates a method for preventing colectomy, wherein an oligonucleotide containing at least one unmethylated CG dinucleotide is administered to a patient in need thereof, typically a patient suffering from ulcerative colitis (UC). Further, the present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising said oligonucleotide for the prevention or reduction of need of colectomy.
