United European gastroenterology journal
Cure8 research brief
Why This Matters
This study suggests anti‑TNF drugs (including infliximab) may alter the metabolic and immune profile of creeping fat in Crohn’s disease, a tissue linked to inflammation and postoperative recurrence. That could help explain part of how these drugs affect disease biology beyond gut mucosa.
Who Should Pay Attention
Researchers studying Crohn’s disease immunometabolism, clinicians treating patients with anti‑TNF biologics, and patients on or considering anti‑TNF therapy who are interested in emerging mechanistic research.
Study Snapshot
Story typeResearch paper
Evidence typeObservational study
Source depthJournal abstract
What To Know
This study compared creeping fat (CrF) from Crohn’s patients who had received anti‑TNF therapy with CrF from anti‑TNF‑naïve patients, and also exposed CrF explants to infliximab ex vivo.
The authors report higher UCP1 expression and upregulation of browning/mitochondrial biogenesis markers and reduced selected pro‑inflammatory markers in CrF after anti‑TNF exposure.
These findings are observational and exploratory: cohort analyses and short ex vivo exposures show molecular changes in CrF consistent with increased “browning” and altered immune signaling, but the study does not prove clinical benefit or mechanistic causation.
Functional studies are needed to determine whether these molecular shifts change tissue metabolism or disease outcomes. If you are on or considering anti‑TNF therapy, this research is mechanistic and does not by itself change treatment recommendations. Discuss any therapy questions with your gastroenterology team.
Keep In Mind
Structured content depth: abstract — the brief is grounded in the article abstract and observational/ex vivo data presented there. Results are molecular and exploratory; the paper calls for functional follow‑up. The study does not report clinical outcomes and cannot be interpreted as proving treatment benefit on creeping fat or disease course.
Source Details
Review the original publication for the complete reporting, methods, and context.
Observational study
Evidence type derived from source or registry metadata.
PublicationUnited European gastroenterology journal
AuthorsMonfort-Ferré D, Ginés I, Cepero C +13 more
Study typeJournal article, observational study
Indexed viaEurope PMC
Source typeResearch paper
PublishedNov 1, 2026, 12:00 AM
Content availableJournal abstract
Funding disclosed by the source: Grupo Español de Trabajo en Enfermedad de Crohn y Colitis Ulcerosa; Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades - PID2023-146315OB-100
This Cure8 brief is based on source text from the linked article. Cure8 is informational only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Clinical Course and Predictors of Biologic Therapy, Hospitalisation and Surgery: A Five-Year Prospective Study in Newly Diagnosed Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
This study describes how often people newly diagnosed with IBD go on biologic or JAK inhibitor therapy and what happened to them over five years — including hospital visits and surgery — which helps set expectations for...
GLP-1 receptor agonists and clinical outcomes in adults with Crohn's disease and obesity
This large real-world study suggests GLP-1 receptor agonists used in adults with Crohn’s disease and obesity were associated with lower healthcare use and lower subsequent TNF inhibitor use at 1 and 5 years, findings...
Study reveals surprising link between Crohn's disease and the Epstein-Barr virus
If EBV exposure increases the risk of later Crohn's disease, it could help explain one environmental trigger for IBD and point to new research directions for prevention or treatment. Patients may be interested because...