New developments in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease

Therapy of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is rapidly changing with the advent of new discoveries in disease pathogenesis. The need for targeted therapies against the uncontrolled immuno-inflammatory reaction in IBD together with a prerequisite for minimal side effects is driving improvement in old medicines and is leading to the development of new drugs. This review introduces emerging changes in IBD treatment, such as improvements in conventional IBD medications or their use. Balsalazide, budesonide and changes in the use of 5-aminosalicylate (5-ASA) products and purine analogues, such as azathioprine, are discussed. Additionally, studies examining the role of drugs newly introduced into IBD therapy, such as mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), thalidomide and heparin, are stated. Emerging biological therapies, such as therapies against TNF, therapies to enhance anti-inflammatory cytokines, therapeutic manoeuvres to disrupt immune cell trafficking, anti-oxidant therapies, as well as non-conventional treatments, such as diet therapies, prebiotics and probiotics, and helminth therapies are discussed.