The c-Jun NH2-terminal Kinase (JNK) pathway represents one sub-group of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases which plays an important role in various inflammatory diseases states, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Significant progress towards understanding the function of the JNK signaling pathway has been achieved during the past few years. Blockade of the JNK pathway with JNK inhibitors in animal models of IBD lead to resolution of intestinal inflammation. Current data suggest specific JNK inhibitors hold promise as novel therapies in IBD.

Medication nonadherence in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may lead to suboptimal control of the disease, decreased quality of life, and poor outcomes. This pilot study evaluated the feasibility, intervention mechanism, and potential effectiveness of a three-month continuous self-improvement (CSI) intervention to enhance medication adherence (MA) in adult nonadherent IBD patients. Adult IBD patients taking a daily or twice-daily dosed maintenance medication were screened electronically for two months to determine baseline MA levels. Nonadherent IBD participants were randomized to the CSI or the attention control (AC) intervention and monitored for three months. The CSI intervention consisted of a data evaluation and system refinement process in which system changes were identified and implemented. The AC group was given educational information regarding IBD disease process, extra-intestinal manifestations of IBD, and medical therapy. Demographic statistics, change scores for within and between-group differences, and effect size estimates were calculated. Nine nonadherent participants (medication adherence score <0.85) were eligible for randomization. The intervention was found feasible and acceptable. Although no statistically significant improvement in MA was found (P=0.14), adherence improved in 3 of 4 of the CSI group and 1 of 2 in the attention control group. The effect size calculation of 1.9 will determine the sample size for future study. The results of this pilot study showed the intervention was feasible and had a positive effect on MA change score and adherence levels. A larger fully powered study is needed to test of the effectiveness of this innovative intervention.

Much research has been performed over the last decade on stem cell therapy as treatment for patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Hematopoietic and mesenchymal stem cells, both allogeneic (from someone else) and autologous (from own patient), have been studied with safe and efficacious results in the majority of patients treated for luminal, perianal, and/or fistulizing disease. Here in this review, we highlight all human trials that have been conducted utilizing stem cell therapy treatment in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

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Infliximab is a monoclonal antibody that antagonizes the activity of tumor necrosis factor alpha to induce and maintain remission in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Adverse effects associated with Infliximab infusions include infusion reactions, risk of infections, development of hematological malignancies, and pancytopenia. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia has rarely been reported in ulcerative colitis. Herein we report a case of drug-induced hemolytic anemia after infliximab infusion for treating ulcerative colitis.