Highlights of novel therapeutic strategies for IBD

Previously a disease predominantly occurring in Western societies, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has become a global disease in the past decade. The review “New approaches along the IBD course: diet, tight control and stem cells” goes through important studies published in 2018 that are highlighting novel therapeutic strategies for IBD, showing that the next decade promises considerable advances for patients with IBD through an enhanced understanding of the importance of dietary macronutrients and micronutrients in disease susceptibility and trigger. A treat-to-target approach that involves proactive serial monitoring of inflammatory biomarkers can assist in timely treatment escalation and promises improved patient outcomes (Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2018 Nov 21. doi: 10.1038/s41575-018-0088-4. [Epub ahead of print]).
 
Anyone interested in future collaboration in this field of research is welcome to contact our key investigator, Prof Siew Ng of our Department of Medicine and Therapeutics. Prof Ng is an international expert in the study of inflammatory bowel diseases. Her research interests focus on epidemiological, genetics and microbiota studies of the diseases.
 
Read the full article: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41575-018-0088-4
 
More about research at CU Medicine: https://research.med.cuhk.edu.hk