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Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Diagnosis and Personalized Treatment
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Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Diagnosis and Personalized Treatment

A special issue of Journal of Personalized Medicine (ISSN 2075-4426). This special issue belongs to the section "Personalized Therapy and Drug Delivery".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 October 2026 | Viewed by 5896

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Abigail Raffner (formerly Basson)

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Nutrition, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
2. Division of Gastroenterology & Liver Diseases, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
3. Digestive Health Research Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
Interests: inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD); clinical nutrition; nutrigenomics; gastroenterology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a complex, relapsing, and immune-mediated disorder of the gut that is characterized by significant variability in disease presentation, progression, and treatment response. Despite advances in IBD therapies, the heterogeneity of the disease poses a major challenge in achieving optimal patient outcomes, as many patients experience primary non-response or loss of response to treatment. Today, the "one-size-fits-all" approach to IBD management is being increasingly replaced by precision medicine strategies that tailor diagnosis and therapy based on individual patient characteristics, including genetics, microbiome composition, immune profiling, and environmental factors.

The Journal of Personalized Medicine invites submissions to this Special Issue, which focuses on the latest advancements in the diagnosis and personalized treatment of IBD. This Special Issue aims to explore innovative diagnostic tools, biomarkers, and therapeutic strategies tailored to individual patient profiles, enhancing the precision and efficacy of IBD management.

We welcome the submission of original research articles, reviews, and clinical studies that address the molecular mechanisms, genetic predispositions, and environmental factors influencing IBD. Topics of interest for this Special Issue include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Novel diagnostic biomarkers and imaging techniques;
  • Genetic and epigenetic profiling in IBD;
  • Personalized pharmacotherapy and biologics;
  • Microbiome-based interventions;
  • Multi-Omics approaches;
  • Artificial intelligence;
  • Patient-reported outcomes and quality of life in personalized treatment.

This Special Issue seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state and future directions in personalized medicine for IBD, fostering a deeper understanding and improved clinical outcomes for patients worldwide.

Dr. Abigail Raffner (formerly Basson)
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Personalized Medicine is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • inflammatory bowel disease
  • diagnostic tools
  • biomarkers
  • therapeutic strategies
  • molecular mechanisms
  • microbiome
  • genetic predispositions
  • environmental factors
  • personalized treatment

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 2658 KB  
Article
Acid-Suppressive Therapy Choice and Risk of Treatment Escalation in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Real-World Comparative Retrospective Study to Inform Personalized Treatment
by Yan Sun, Donovan Veccia, Gengqing Song and Nisheet Waghray
J. Pers. Med. 2026, 16(4), 193; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm16040193 - 1 Apr 2026
Viewed by 529
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are known to alter gut microbiota composition; however, their association with disease courses and outcomes in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remains uncertain. Our aims were to evaluate the association between PPI use and treatment escalation, Clostridioides [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are known to alter gut microbiota composition; however, their association with disease courses and outcomes in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remains uncertain. Our aims were to evaluate the association between PPI use and treatment escalation, Clostridioides difficile infection, and healthcare utilization in IBD. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study on the TriNetX platform. IBD patients with PPIs or histamine-2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs) were matched one-to-one using propensity scores. Outcomes included initiation of corticosteroids, biologic therapy, Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) infection, and healthcare utilization. Outcomes were assessed during the 0–12-month and 3–12-month follow-up windows. Associations were estimated using odds ratios (ORs) and hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals. Results: After matching, 12,808 patients were included in each group. During 0–12 months of follow-up, PPI use was associated with higher odds of systemic corticosteroid exposure (OR 1.56, 1.35–1.79), biologic therapy initiation (OR 1.99, 1.72–2.29), C difficile infection (OR 1.42, 1.18–1.70), and healthcare utilization (OR 1.18, 1.03–1.36) compared with H2RA use. Time-to-event analyses showed persistent associations with systemic corticosteroid exposure (HR 1.50, 1.31–1.72) and biologic therapy initiation (HR 1.91, 1.66–2.19), with attenuation of associations for infection and healthcare utilization in 3–12-month lag-time analyses. Similar patterns were observed in ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease subgroups. Conclusions: PPI was associated with higher risks of treatment escalation and C. difficile compared with H2RA in IBD. These findings highlight the importance of individualized selection and periodic reassessment of acid suppression therapy as part of personalized management strategies in IBD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Diagnosis and Personalized Treatment)
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9 pages, 218 KB  
Article
Serum Chitinase 3-like-1 (CHI3L1) Has Good Correlation with Fecal Calprotectin Levels in Pregnant IBD Patients
by Hagai Schweistein, Rachel Gingold-Belfer, Adi Rave, Ahinoam Glusman-Bendersky, Hadar Amir-Barak, Jacob E. Ollech and Ariella Bar-Gil Shitrit
J. Pers. Med. 2026, 16(3), 145; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm16030145 - 3 Mar 2026
Viewed by 467
Abstract
Background: Monitoring inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) during pregnancy is challenging due tolimited use of invasive tools. While fecal calprotectin is considered reliable, its use is limited by patient adherence and availability. Blood-based markers, such as serum chitinase-3-like-1 (CHI3L1), offer a promising alternative. [...] Read more.
Background: Monitoring inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) during pregnancy is challenging due tolimited use of invasive tools. While fecal calprotectin is considered reliable, its use is limited by patient adherence and availability. Blood-based markers, such as serum chitinase-3-like-1 (CHI3L1), offer a promising alternative. Aim: To evaluate whether serum CHI3L1 reflects disease activity in pregnant IBD patients, compared to standard markers and clinical questionnaires. Methods: Pregnant IBD patients were recruited from a multidisciplinary clinic. Blood samples were collected to assess inflammatory markers. Stool samples were used to measure calprotectin levels. Each visit was classified as a distinct sample for analysis. Correlations between CHI3L1 and disease activity markers were examined. Results: A total of 124 samples from 80 pregnant IBD patients were analyzed: 90 from Crohn’s disease (CD) patients and 34 from ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. CHI3L1 levels showed a significant positive correlation with fecal calprotectin (rp = 0.366, p = 0.008), ESR (rp = 0.358, p = 0.001), CRP (rp = 0.478, p < 0.001) and standardized clinical scoring questionnaires. Elevated CHI3L1 (>56.6 ng/mL) is a risk factor for active disease (OR 8.78, 95% CI 1.54–49.83, p = 0.014). Conclusions: Serum CHI3L1 is positively associated with established markers of inflammation and may serve as a useful non-invasive biomarker for monitoring IBD activity during pregnancy, a medical condition in which invasive procedures are not recommended. Based on CHI3L1 levels, personalized treatment for pregnant IBD patients can be tailored. However, further validation is recommended. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Diagnosis and Personalized Treatment)

Review

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29 pages, 1562 KB  
Review
Integrating Intestinal Ultrasound in the Personalized Management of IBD
by Cristina Lanzotti, Mariangela Allocca, Alessandra Zilli, Ferdinando D’Amico, Virginia Solitano, Sara Massironi, Silvio Danese and Federica Furfaro
J. Pers. Med. 2026, 16(4), 199; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm16040199 - 1 Apr 2026
Viewed by 757
Abstract
Personalized medicine is increasingly shaping the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with the goal of tailoring diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to individual patients. Intestinal ultrasound (IUS) has emerged as a pivotal, non-invasive, and repeatable tool for assessing disease activity, treatment response, and [...] Read more.
Personalized medicine is increasingly shaping the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with the goal of tailoring diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to individual patients. Intestinal ultrasound (IUS) has emerged as a pivotal, non-invasive, and repeatable tool for assessing disease activity, treatment response, and complications in both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Beyond its role in routine monitoring, IUS enables real-time decision-making and facilitates tight control strategies, aligning with the principles of precision medicine. By combining morphological assessment with advanced techniques, such as contrast-enhanced ultrasound and elastography, IUS offers unique opportunities for risk stratification and individualized treatment planning. Moreover, its accessibility, safety, and patient acceptability make IUS particularly suited for longitudinal follow-up and early detection of therapeutic failure, thereby reducing the need for invasive procedures. This review discusses the integration of IUS into personalized IBD care pathways, highlighting current evidence, clinical applications, and future perspectives. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Diagnosis and Personalized Treatment)
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26 pages, 1257 KB  
Review
Precision Medicine in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: The Emerging Role of Metabolic Dysfunction
by Aditya Kotha, Arun J. Sanyal and Raseen Tariq
J. Pers. Med. 2026, 16(3), 139; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm16030139 - 2 Mar 2026
Viewed by 1090
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), encompassing ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD), is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract with a rapidly increasing global prevalence. In parallel, metabolic comorbidities including obesity, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), and sarcopenia are becoming [...] Read more.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), encompassing ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD), is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract with a rapidly increasing global prevalence. In parallel, metabolic comorbidities including obesity, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), and sarcopenia are becoming increasingly common among patients with IBD and are now recognized as important modifiers of disease course and outcomes. As the therapeutic landscape of IBD continues to evolve, these intersecting trends create an opportunity to advance precision medicine through more individualized approaches to care. This review synthesizes established and emerging evidence on the role of metabolic dysfunction in IBD, focusing on epidemiology, risk factors, and prognostic implications. We highlight key domains relevant to personalized care, including metabolic phenotypes, energy metabolism, circulating biomarkers, and nutrition, and discuss how these factors may complement traditional inflammatory markers in risk stratification and longitudinal disease monitoring. Collectively, the available evidence suggests that metabolic comorbidities are not merely coincidental but represent clinically meaningful phenotypes that influence treatment response, complications, and long-term outcomes in IBD. Integrating metabolic assessment into routine IBD care may enable more precise, patient-centered management strategies and help address the growing heterogeneity of IBD in the era of precision medicine. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Diagnosis and Personalized Treatment)
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38 pages, 2582 KB  
Review
Interleukin-23p19 Inhibitors in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: From Current Insights to Future Directions
by Ilse A. Pool, Antonius T. Otten, Jos G. W. Kosterink, Gerard Dijkstra, Paola Mian and Arno R. Bourgonje
J. Pers. Med. 2026, 16(2), 119; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm16020119 - 14 Feb 2026
Viewed by 2346
Abstract
Interleukin-23 (IL-23) is a pivotal cytokine driving intestinal inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The development of monoclonal antibodies selectively targeting the p19 subunit of IL-23, including risankizumab, mirikizumab and guselkumab, has significantly expanded the therapeutic landscape of IBD. Landmark phase 3 trials [...] Read more.
Interleukin-23 (IL-23) is a pivotal cytokine driving intestinal inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The development of monoclonal antibodies selectively targeting the p19 subunit of IL-23, including risankizumab, mirikizumab and guselkumab, has significantly expanded the therapeutic landscape of IBD. Landmark phase 3 trials in Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) have demonstrated high efficacy and durable responses, followed by recent regulatory approvals across both indications. Notably, the SEQUENCE trial established the superiority of risankizumab over ustekinumab in achieving endoscopic and clinical endpoints in CD, underscoring the therapeutic value of IL-23p19 blockade and its differentiation from prior p40 inhibition. With additional agents in advanced development, IL-23p19 inhibitors are now emerging as a bona fide treatment class in IBD. Furthermore, IL-23p19 inhibitors display favorable safety profiles and convenient subcutaneous administration regimens, which broaden their applicability across diverse patient populations. However, key knowledge gaps remain regarding optimal treatment positioning, comparative effectiveness, and long-term disease outcomes. Precision medicine approaches will be crucial to fully exploit the potential of this drug class. For instance, early biomarkers can help monitor response, while future integration of serological and multi-omics biomarkers may enable the prediction of treatment success and guide personalized selection. This review summarizes the current knowledge base regarding IL-23p19 inhibitors in IBD, highlights their class effects and unique clinical value, and outlines a research agenda towards biomarker-driven and precision-guided use. Ultimately, IL-23p19-inhibition exemplifies how targeted immunotherapy and precision medicine can converge in order to reshape IBD management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Diagnosis and Personalized Treatment)
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