Advances in the pathogenesis and treatment of IBD

Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic remitting and relapsing inflammatory bowel diseases. We present a typical case of Crohn's disease in a young woman and discuss potential treatment options. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis likely result from interaction of multiple genetic and environmental risk and protective factors. Both are diseases ultimately caused by immune dysregulation. Medical therapy is with mesalamine compounds, corticosteroids, immunomodulators and/or biologics that target TNFα signaling or α4-integrin-mediated trafficking. Investigational agents include those targeted against other cytokines and costimulatory molecules or designed to promote immune regulation such as exposure to helminths which is a focus of this review.