The aetiology of the chronic inflammatory bowel diseases - Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis - is still enigmatic. The therapeutic approach has therefore traditionally focused on anti-inflammatory principles, including corticosteroids and aminosalicylates. Since a significant proportion of patients is steroid-dependent or refractory and because of the problematic side-effects of long-term systemic steroids, active immunosuppression has gained acceptance in the field. The classical immunosuppressants azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine have long been evidence-based in IBD, but underused. Recently, methotrexate and cyclosporine have also been proven to be effective in certain situations. Newer drugs like tacrolimus, mycophenolate and others may be similarly useful but their potential is still unclear. Finally, the immune modifiers including IL-10 and TNF-antibodies have been successfully subjected to controlled trials. Other experimental drugs discussed in this book are on the horizon. This volume is the Proceedings of Falk Symposium 119 held in Freiburg-im-Breisgau, Germany, October 3-4, 2000, and covers systematically the field of immunosuppression in inflammatory bowel diseases. It is hoped that it will further the prudent use of these drugs in the proper clinical situations by increasing our understanding of both the mechanisms of action and the clinical benefit to the patient.

This book is the proceedings of the Falk Symposium No. 122 on "Inflammatory Bowel Disease - A Clinical Case Approach to Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment," held in Bologna, Italy, on June 22-23, 2001, and deals with some major issues concerning Genetics of IBD, Pediatrics in IBD, Early vs Late IBD, Bacteria and Gut Inflammation, Refractory CD, Fistulizing CD, Refractory Distal Colitis, and Complications of Ileal-Pouch Anastomosis. The main aim of the meeting was to highlight the value of an integrated clinical approach and the importance of clinical research in developing innovative methods of treatment.