Can Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis Be Prevented?
While we continue to forge the path toward cures, prevention of Crohn's disease and prevention of ulcerative colitis is an evolving area of scientific research with promise. This is timely, as the number of new IBD cases increases globally, and as our understanding of early disease events deepens. In other auto-immune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes, scientists have already set a precedent, proving that a prevention pathway can be effective. By delving further into preclinical (early-stage) research, we can better understand the underlying biological mechanisms of IBD, and these key insights can also be applied toward identifying cures for those who already have IBD.
At the forefront of innovative IBD research, the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation is advocating for regulatory leaders, scientists, funders, academics, and other experts to join us in committing to the exploration of IBD prevention.
Funding New Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis Prevention Research
We will promote the study of IBD prevention through our Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation research awards, offering an option for its pursuit in our applications for funding.
In addition, the Foundation will be urging federal and philanthropic organizations to dedicate and prioritize funding for IBD prevention research.
Gathering Data
The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation conducted the first US-based IBD Disease Prevention Survey. The goal was to gather quantitative feedback from IBD patients and first-degree relatives to better understand their interest in potential interventions or preventive measures, ranging from lifestyle to diet to treatment. We learned that the majority of respondents would be interested in an intervention. We will leverage this data to help direct and design research initiatives that are aligned with patient input.
Engaging Key Stakeholders
As a leading promoter of this work and a renowned convener of thought leaders, the Foundation aims to bring together funding and regulatory experts, encouraging them to think about Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis through a similar lens to the one they use for communicable diseases: determining how to put an end to them before they start. The Foundation will convene a meeting in October to consult with thought leaders about the potential for a vaccine for IBD in the future.
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IBD offers a unique opportunity. Research has identified a preclinical window—4 to 7 years before symptoms appear—when changes in the gut microbiome, intestinal barrier, and blood antibodies can be detected. Early identification could enable interventions to prevent or delay disease onset. This prevention-focused research also benefits those already diagnosed by improving outcomes through therapies that target root causes, not just symptoms. Notably, patients and families are eager for preventive solutions: a recent Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation survey found that 93% of respondents would take a test predicting their or their family’s risk of developing IBD.
Crohn's & Colitis Foundation
The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation is the leading nonprofit organization focused on both research and patient support for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with the mission of curing Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and improving the quality of life for the millions of Americans living with IBD. The Foundation’s work is dramatically accelerating the research process, while also providing extensive educational and support resources for patients and their families, medical professionals, and the public.