Australian research links molecular signals to IBD relapse

New Australian research published in the journal Science indicates that molecular ‘warning signs’ can persist in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) even when they appear to be in clinical remission. The study, supported by Crohn’s & Colitis Australia, identified persistent abnormal cell-death signalling in the intestinal lining of patients.

Researchers followed a patient cohort for over two years and discovered that those with higher levels of this abnormal signalling were significantly more likely to experience a clinical relapse. This suggests that disease processes can continue beneath the surface even when a patient feels well and the bowel appears healed.

The findings, a collaboration between The Royal Melbourne Hospital and WEHI, suggest that monitoring molecular changes in the intestinal lining could eventually help clinicians identify biologically active disease during apparent remission and develop new targets for more durable treatment.