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World J Methodol. Dec 20, 2025; 15(4): 107643
Published online Dec 20, 2025. doi: 10.5662/wjm.v15.i4.107643
Future of inflammatory bowel disease treatment: A review of novel treatments beyond guidelines
Mohamed Mahmoud Hafez, Ibrahim Halil Bahcecioglu, Mehmet Yalniz, Karim Abdelwahab Kouta, Ahmed Tawheed
Mohamed Mahmoud Hafez, Faculty of Medicine, Helwan University, Cairo 11795, Egypt
Ibrahim Halil Bahcecioglu, Mehmet Yalniz, Ahmed Tawheed, Department of Gastroenterology, Firat University, Elazig 23119, Türkiye
Karim Abdelwahab Kouta, Department of Gastroenterology, Al-Shifaa Medical Complex, Egypt Healthcare Authority, Port Said 42534, Būr Sa‘īd, Egypt
Ahmed Tawheed, Department of Gastroenterology, Al Emadi Hospital, Doha 50000, Qatar
Author contributions: All authors have contributed to this article and have approved the final version of the manuscript; Tawheed A designed the overall concept and outline of the manuscript; Hafez MM and Yalniz M revised the manuscript, Bahcecioglu IH provided important technical details and revised the manuscript; Kouta KA revised the manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest to disclose.
Open Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Ahmed Tawheed, Consultant, Department of Gastroenterology, Firat University, Elazig, Firat Campus, Elazig 23119, Türkiye. atawheed1990@gmail.com
Received: March 27, 2025
Revised: April 24, 2025
Accepted: June 13, 2025
Published online: December 20, 2025
Processing time: 130 Days and 16.4 Hours
Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic condition consisting of two main types: Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Conventional treatments for these diseases include aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, immunomodulators, and biologics. However, these treatments have several drawbacks, including high costs for patients and numerous side effects. Recently, advanced treatments have been developed, such as small-molecule therapies, targeted biologics, innovative drug delivery systems, and microbiome-based interventions. Emerging therapies like anti-interleukin-23 monoclonal antibody inhibitors, sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor modulators, and Janus kinase inhibitors are more specialized in reducing immune activity. They enhance bioavailability, reduce side effects, and specifically target the gastrointestinal tract without affecting other systems. Innovative drug delivery systems for IBD, such as nanoparticles, hydrogels, and microgrippers, improve bioavailability and prolong drug release. The combination of conventional and advanced therapies may benefit from the synergistic effects of both. Furthermore, fecal microbiota transplantation and probiotics can help restore the balance of gastrointestinal microbiota, reducing disease flare-ups. Advances in artificial intelligence, endoscopic techniques, and stem cell therapies have shown great potential in treating IBD, although several significant challenges remain. Treating this disease requires multidisciplinary integration and the application of technology and telemedicine.

Keywords: Inflammatory bowel disease; Crohn’s disease; Ulcerative colitis; Biological treatment; Microbiome; Probiotics; Fecal microbiota transplantation; Innovative drug delivery systems; Endoscopy

Core Tip: Inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder causing persistent inflammation. Traditional treatments include aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, immunomodulators, and biologics. Advanced treatments like small-molecule therapies, targeted biologics, and innovative drug delivery systems have improved bioavailability and reduced side effects. Combining conventional and advanced treatments is crucial for effective treatment.