A study by Mount Sinai Health System researchers has identified unique biological markers in patients with mild Crohn’s disease. This discovery could lead to more personalized and less aggressive treatment strategies.
Published in Gastroenterology, the research is notable for using multi-omics data to explore mild Crohn’s disease biology. Multi-omics involves studying various types of biological data like genes, proteins, and metabolites. Dr. Ryan C. Ungaro from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai noted that “mild Crohn’s disease is not just a milder version of severe disease—it’s biologically distinct.”
The study utilized data from two patient cohorts: the Mount Sinai Crohn’s and Colitis Registry observational cohort and the Ocean State Crohn’s and Colitis Area Registry. First authors Arno Bourgonje and Susanne Ibing found that patients with mild Crohn’s showed a reduced immune response and altered sphingolipid metabolism, forming a biological fingerprint associated with lower disease progression risk.
Many Crohn’s patients are prescribed advanced therapies shortly after diagnosis. These treatments are often costly and lifelong, with potential side effects. However, some patients’ symptoms do not progress, making it unclear who will benefit from such therapies. The study aims to provide precision medicine in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by matching treatment intensity to the disease’s biology.
Dr. Jean-Frédéric Colombel of the Icahn School of Medicine hopes “to develop tools that help physicians predict which patients are likely to have a mild, stable disease course.” The findings may lead to fewer medications, reduced side effects, and lower costs for patients.
Future research will focus on validating these biomarkers in larger groups and developing tools for early treatment decisions. The study received funding from the National Institutes of Health and Janssen Pharmaceuticals.
