Crohn Disease Clinical Trials
Crohn Disease Trials at a Glance
171 actively recruiting trials for crohn disease are listed on ClinicalTrialsFinder across 6 cities in 42 countries. The largest study group is Not Applicable with 61 trials, with the heaviest enrollment activity in Amiens, Paris, and Lille. Lead sponsors running crohn disease studies include Massachusetts General Hospital, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, and Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University.
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Top cities for crohn disease trials
Understanding Crohn Disease Clinical Trials
Infliximab (Remicade), approved in 1998 after groundbreaking clinical trials, was the first biologic therapy for Crohn disease and revolutionized treatment by demonstrating that targeting the inflammatory protein TNF-alpha could heal the intestinal lining, not just reduce symptoms. Since then, trials have delivered additional biologics including adalimumab, vedolizumab, and ustekinumab, as well as the newer oral JAK inhibitor upadacitinib. Despite this growing treatment arsenal, approximately one-third of Crohn disease patients do not respond adequately to available therapies, and many who initially respond lose efficacy over time, making ongoing clinical trial research essential.
Why Consider a Clinical Trial?
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Crohn Disease clinical trials
Some trials specifically enroll patients in remission to study maintenance strategies or to compare long-term outcomes between treatments. However, most trials for new therapies require that you have active disease, typically confirmed by endoscopy and elevated inflammatory markers. Your current disease status determines which trials are appropriate.
Most treatment trials for active Crohn disease require a recent colonoscopy or ileocolonoscopy to confirm inflammation and establish a baseline endoscopic score. This is typically performed within four to six weeks before enrollment. Some trials accept flexible sigmoidoscopy or capsule endoscopy depending on your disease location.
Yes. Pediatric Crohn disease trials exist, though they are fewer in number than adult trials. These trials have additional safety protections and ethical oversight specific to minors. Pediatric gastroenterology centers at academic hospitals are the best resource for finding trials open to younger patients.
Trial protocols have predefined plans for managing flares, which may include corticosteroid rescue therapy or dose adjustments. If the study treatment is not controlling your disease after a defined period, the protocol will typically allow you to exit the trial and return to standard care. Your safety and disease management remain the priority.
Several rigorous clinical trials are studying specific dietary interventions, including the Crohn Disease Exclusion Diet (CDED) and variations of exclusive enteral nutrition. These trials use standardized protocols and objective endpoints like endoscopic healing. While results are promising, dietary approaches are being studied as complements to, not replacements for, medical therapy.
Showing 1–20 of 171 trials