Genetic discoveries bring hope for thousands of bowel disease patients

Researchers linked 29 DNA regions with ulcerative colitis, a form of IBD affecting the lower intestine. The findings support the theory that an immune reaction to natural bacteria in the gut may play a role in the condition.

Scientists hope the new discoveries will open the door to further research and new treatments.

The genetic regions identified act like signposts, pointing to a number of suspect genes.

Several belong to a recognised immune system signalling pathway and could provide good targets for therapeutic drugs.

Richard Driscoll, chief executive of the charity Crohn’s and Colitis UK, said: “This research will give renewed hope to the 160,000 people in the UK who face a lifetime coping with ulcerative colitis.

“The illness tends to flare up quite unpredictably and without apparent cause and at these times the symptoms of urgent diarrhoea, pain and fatigue can dominate everyday life and may eventually lead to major surgery.

“Knowing that researchers have identified specific new targets for research and that progress is being made will be seen as very good news.”

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are the two primary causes of IBD, affecting one in 250 people in Europe and North America. IBD describes conditions characterised by inflammation of the gastro-intestinal tract.

Crohn’s can affect any part of the intestine, whereas ulcerative colitis is confined to the lower area.

The new results from the International IBD Genetics Consortium are published online in the journal Nature Genetics.

Lead researcher Dr John Rioux, from the University of Montreal in Canada, said: “Ultimately, we hope that unmasking the genetic processes that give rise to the disease will minimise the need for surgical outcomes, by opening the door for new therapies that can stop the disease in its tracks.”