Inflammation in the intestinal tract: pathogenesis and treatment

The most common forms of chronic inflammatory intestinal diseases, better known as IBD, are ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Their treatment is often challenging due to severe symptoms particularly in young patients and the increasingly complex treatment modalities available. Recent research resulted in a better understanding of the genetic basis of IBD, its relationship with the intestinal microflora, and the role of epithelial cells and the mucosal immune system in its pathogenesis. Prompted by these findings, a general interpretation is emerging of IBD as a multifactorial disturbance of mucosal homeostasis leading to hyperresponsiveness of both the innate and the adaptive elements of the mucosal immune system. This in turn has also led to the development of more specific and effective therapeutic options. During the international Falk symposium held in Kiev in May 2009, a panel of internationally renowned basic and clinical scientists met to discuss various aspects of chronic inflammatory intestinal diseases. This publication contains their papers and represents an in-depth review of current research and clinical management of IBD.