[New therapeutic possibilities in chronic inflammatory bowel diseases]

New therapeutic measures in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are either based on actual data on disease pathogenesis or on new pharmaceutic preparations of known drugs. An overshooting immune response with T cell activation in the local gut associated immune system seems to be central in the etiopathogenesis of IBD. Modulation of the antigenic load in the gut lumen by parenteral or enteral nutrition or antibiotic treatment can alter disease activity. Immunosuppressive drugs are able to decrease the overshooting immune response. Azathioprin has its clear value in chronic active steroid dependent disease courses of Crohn's disease. According to recent studies, Methotrexate seems to be active as well, however, more studies are necessary. Several studies were not able to prove that Cyclosporine is of value in the treatment of Crohn's disease. Newer preparations of aminosalicylates have shown effectiveness in both active disease and prolongation of remission in Crohn's disease in high doses. Local release formulations of steroids with high first-pass-effect as Budesonide will have their indication in subgroups of IBD patients. However, systemic steroid application is still the gold standard in active disease.