Crohn's disease treatment has expanded from steroids and immunosuppressants to a growing menu of biologics and small-molecule pills, each targeting different inflammation pathways. The challenge now is matching each patient to the right drug — and reaching the half of patients who do not respond fully to current therapies.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing IL-23 inhibitors, S1P modulators, JAK inhibitors, combination biologic therapy, treatments for Crohn's in specific locations like the small bowel or fistulas, and approaches to heal the gut lining (mucosal healing). Researchers are also studying the gut microbiome, diet, and personalized treatment selection.
IL-23 inhibitors
A newer class of injections targeting IL-23 is showing strong remission rates in Crohn's, including in patients who failed earlier biologics. Several are now approved or in late-stage trials.
Combination biologics
Trials are testing whether combining two biologics with different mechanisms produces deeper remission than one drug alone, especially for severe disease.
Mucosal healing
Treating until the gut lining looks normal on colonoscopy — not just until symptoms improve — leads to fewer surgeries and complications. Trials are refining how to reach this goal.
What to know before you search
Eligibility often depends on disease location and severity, prior biologics tried, presence of fistulas or strictures, and inflammation markers on labs and colonoscopy.
What types of trials are currently open
- New medication trials — Testing biologic injections and oral drugs for Crohn's disease, including new mechanisms beyond TNF inhibitors.
- Surgical trials — Studies of newer surgical approaches for strictures, fistulas, and bowel resection.
- Lifestyle and behavior trials — Testing diet, stress reduction, and exercise programs as add-ons to medical treatment.
- Therapy strategy trials — Testing combinations or sequences of medications to reach deep remission.
- Observational studies — Following people with Crohn's to understand disease course and what predicts response.
Recently added Crohn's Disease trials
Real-World Study of IL-23 Inhibitors in Active Crohn's Disease
The goal of this observational study is to learn about the effectiveness and safety of IL-23 inhibitors in adults with active Crohn's disease in real-world clinical practice. The main questions it aims to answer are: * What proportion of participants achieve clinical remission at Week 12 after starting treatment with an IL-23 inhibitor? * What are the clinical, endoscopic, biomarker, imaging, and safety outcomes during induction and maintenance treatment? This is not a head-to-head randomized study. Treatments are selected by treating physicians as part of routine clinical care. For a nested comparative analysis, bio-naive participants treated with IL-23 inhibitors will be compared with a concurrent prospective cohort of bio-naive participants treated with TNF inhibitors to evaluate comparative effectiveness and safety. Participants will: * Receive treatment chosen by their treating physicians as part of routine clinical care, including IL-23 inhibitors or TNF inhibitors * Attend study follow-up visits during induction and maintenance, including assessments at baseline, Week 12 and Week 52 * Undergo routine clinical evaluations, which may include symptom assessment, laboratory tests, endoscopy, and imaging, as available * Be monitored for adverse events and treatment changes during the study * Optionally provide blood, stool, and other available samples for exploratory biomarker, microbiome, metabolomic, and other multi-omics analyses related to treatment response
Clinical Value of Intestinal Ultrasound in Predicting Clinical Relapse in Crohn's Disease Patients in Deep Remission: a Multicenter Prospective Observational Study
Crohn's disease (CD) is a nonspecific chronic inflammatory condition characterized by a protracted course with alternating periods of relapse and remission. Even patients who achieve deep remission remain prone to recurrence and require long-term follow-up. While various monitoring methods are available, endoscopy plays a primary role in the management and diagnosis of CD; however, its relative invasiveness and the need for bowel preparation limit the feasibility of continuous monitoring. In contrast, transabdominal intestinal ultrasound offers advantages such as non-invasiveness, absence of radiation, good patient tolerance, and low cost, making it suitable for long-term monitoring. However, most studies have focused on exploring its concordance with disease activity and endoscopic findings, with only a limited number of studies examining its clinical significance for long-term prognosis. Therefore, we conducted a multicenter prospective study involving 18 months of follow-up in CD patients who achieved deep remission. Based on the follow-up results, patients were divided into relapse and non-relapse groups. Stratified analysis was performed according to the Montreal classification to compare color Doppler ultrasound parameters between the two groups and within each stratum, and to establish a predictive model.
Find Crohn's Disease trials matched specifically to you
Answer 3 quick questions and we'll show you trials that fit your situation.