Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease affecting about 500,000 Americans. Current treatments include anti-inflammatory drugs, immune suppressants, and biologic therapies that target specific inflammatory pathways. Many people achieve remission with existing medications, but about 30% still require surgery within ten years of diagnosis.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing new biologic drugs that block inflammatory proteins like IL-23 and IL-36, oral JAK inhibitors that work inside immune cells, stem cell therapies for fistulas, and drugs targeting the gut lining itself. Researchers are also studying how to predict which patients will respond to which treatments, and whether treating early can prevent complications.
IL-23 inhibitors
These biologics target a specific inflammatory pathway and appear to work in people who haven't responded to anti-TNF drugs like adalimumab. Several are FDA-approved for Crohn's disease, with more in testing.
JAK inhibitors
Oral pills that block inflammation inside immune cells, offering an alternative to injections or infusions. Upadacitinib received FDA approval for Crohn's disease in 2022.
Fistula treatments
Stem cell therapy delivered directly into fistula tracts aims to heal these painful complications. Studies are also testing combination approaches with existing biologics.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on disease severity measured by symptoms and endoscopy, location of disease in the digestive tract, prior treatments tried, and presence of complications like fistulas or strictures.
What types of trials are currently open
- Biologic trials — Testing new antibody treatments that target different parts of the immune system. Usually given by injection or infusion.
- Oral medication trials — Testing pills like JAK inhibitors or other small molecules that can be taken at home instead of requiring infusions.
- Fistula trials — Testing stem cell therapy or other approaches to heal the abnormal tunnels that form between the intestine and other organs.
- Combination trials — Testing whether using two drugs together works better than one alone, especially for people with severe disease.
- Observational studies — Following people with Crohn's disease to understand disease patterns, treatment responses, and long-term outcomes.
Recently added Crohn's Disease trials
Iron Treatment for Iron Deficiency Anemia in Children and Young Adults With Crohn's Disease
Children and young adults with Crohn's disease may develop iron deficiency anemia, a condition in which low iron levels reduce the number of healthy red blood cells. This study aims to develop and test a model to help identify which iron treatment approached are most effective for these patients. Researchers will examine laboratory results, disease activity, treatment information, and information about bacteria in the digestive tract. Participants will be followed over time, and questionnaires will assess iron supplement use and related symptoms. The findings may help guide iron treatment for children and young adults with Crohn's disease.
Specific and Novel Approaches to Care of Inflammatory Bowel Disease During Pregnancy: the PREGO Study
IBD pregnancy requires multidisciplinary management, but access to this may be difficult for some, resulting in variation in care which may in turn impair quality of healthcare delivery. We need to devise innovative ways to deliver care to overcome these barriers. The PREGO study will interrogate the value of multidisciplinary care in IBD pregnancy, and test a new virtual-based way of improving access to care.
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