Intestinal fibrosis: ready to be reversed.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Intestinal fibrosis is a common complication of several enteropathies, with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) being the major cause. Intestinal fibrosis affects both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, and no specific antifibrotic therapy exists. This review highlights recent developments in this area.

RECENT FINDINGS: The pathophysiology of intestinal stricture formation includes inflammation-dependent and inflammation-independent mechanisms. A better understanding of the mechanisms of intestinal fibrogenesis and the availability of compounds for other nonintestinal fibrotic diseases bring clincial trials in stricturing Crohn's disease within reach.

SUMMARY: Improved understanding of its mechanisms and ongoing development of clinical trial endpoints for intestinal fibrosis will allow the testing of novel antifibrotic compounds in IBD.