UChicago Advances IBD Trials With Focus on Microbiome and Access

Clinical trial innovation in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) increasingly reflects a dual mandate: advancing novel therapeutics while ensuring research populations reflect the patients seen in everyday practice. Academic centers play a critical role in bridging this gap, particularly through translational science and inclusive recruitment strategies that expand both scientific discovery and clinical relevance.

In the accompanying video, Russell Cohen, MD, professor of medicine and clinical director of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center at the University of Chicago, highlighted several ongoing investigations within the Digestive Diseases Center that may shape the next generation of IBD care. Among the most promising are therapies targeting TL1A, a cytokine within the tumor necrosis factor superfamily believed to act upstream in the inflammatory cascade. By interrupting earlier immune signaling, these agents may offer more durable disease control.

Additional areas of active investigation include microRNA-based therapies designed to suppress inflammatory protein production at the cellular level and stem cell approaches for fistulizing Crohn disease, a complication that remains difficult to manage with existing treatments. Cohen also emphasized the center’s leadership in advanced diagnostic and monitoring technologies, including capsule endoscopy and device-based drug delivery platforms. “There is a lot of interest in what is going to be potentially the next big medicine,” Cohen said, noting the breadth of ongoing therapeutic exploration.

Equally important is ensuring equitable access to clinical trials. Cohen described a multidisciplinary model that integrates dietitians, specialty pharmacists, and gastrointestinal psychologists to support patients throughout the research and treatment process. This infrastructure helps address common barriers to participation, including financial concerns, treatment complexity, and logistical challenges.

Institutional outreach efforts have also focused on historically underserved communities, particularly on Chicago’s South Side and surrounding regions. Partnerships with community health systems, patient education initiatives, and geographically expanded clinical services have helped broaden engagement while preserving rigorous study protocols.