Revolutionizing IBD therapy: Insights into contemporary treatment strategies

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) varies in prevalence globally. Recent rise in IBD cases mirrors evolving health landscape due to urbanization and lifestyle changes worldwide. Existing drugs for IBD include aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, Immunomodulators, biologics, JAK inhibitors, and antibiotics. Although these medications are effective in managing symptoms and remission, these present several with limitations. Side effects such as nausea, infections, and liver toxicity are common, and some patients may develop resistance or lose response over time. Additionally, biologics can be costly, and immunosuppressive drugs raise concerns about long-term safety along increased risk of infection. Importantly, approximately 10% to 30% of the IBD patients do not respond to conventional treatments such as corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, or biologic therapies. Research continues to explore new treatments to address these limitations and improve outcomes for individuals with IBD. This review is an attempt to critically evaluate the currently available treatments for IBD underlining their limitations, and the pressing demand for innovative strategies. Further, we delve into the rationale behind peptide-based therapies, emphasizing their potential to modulate inflammation and promote mucosal healing. The work also highlights promising outcomes from recent preclinical and clinical studies underscoring the pivotal role of peptides in IBD management.