Cure8

Why This Matters

New oral drugs that block the IL-23 receptor could offer an alternative to injectable IL-23p19 biologics for people with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis if phase 3 trials confirm efficacy and safety.

This matters for patients and clinicians considering future treatment options and for those interested in how targeted therapies are evolving.

Who Should Pay Attention

Clinicians treating IBD, researchers in IBD drug development, patients on or considering IL-23–targeting therapies, and patient advocates following new oral treatment options.

Study Snapshot

Story typeResearch paper
Evidence typeResearch paper
Source depthJournal abstract

What To Know

IL-23 inhibition is an established IBD treatment strategy, and this review highlights both injectable IL-23p19 monoclonal antibodies and an emerging oral IL-23 receptor antagonist (icotrokinra).

Phase 3 studies in psoriasis support oral IL-23R antagonism, and a phase 2b study (ANTHEM-UC) has shown clinical and endoscopic improvements in ulcerative colitis with translational biomarker evidence of pathway suppression.

The review outlines how oral macrocyclic peptides can directly target IL-23R as an alternative to monoclonal antibodies, and it discusses ongoing phase 3 trials in UC and CD that will clarify whether oral IL-23R blockade achieves durable clinical and endoscopic benefit comparable to current biologics.

If you are following advances in IBD therapy, this paper frames the potential shift toward highly selective oral agents that target extracellular inflammatory pathways traditionally treated with biologics.

Keep In Mind

Structured content depth is 'abstract' from the source; this brief is grounded in the article abstract and does not substitute for reading the full review or trial reports. Phase 2b signals early clinical evidence; phase 3 trial results are needed to determine clinical adoption.

Icotrokinra is described as investigational; do not interpret this summary as evidence of approval or established clinical use.

Source Details

Review the original publication for the complete reporting, methods, and context.

Read Original Source
Research paper Evidence type derived from source or registry metadata.
PublicationeGastroenterology
AuthorsHonap S, Colwill M, Dignass A +4 more
Study typeReview Article, review, journal article
Indexed viaEurope PMC
Source typeResearch paper
PublishedOct 30, 2026, 12:00 AM
Content availableJournal abstract

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.

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