By Dr Pranab Gyawali, Consultant Gastroenterologist
I’m Dr Pranab, a UK-trained gastroenterologist in Dubai. In this short video and Q&A, I explain new omics research (January 2026) exploring whether a patient’s biological signature can help predict response vs non-response to specific therapies in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Research link (paper/abstract): Journal of Crohn’s and Colitis (Jan 2026) – DOP071 Multi-omics biomarkers for predicting treatment response in IBD
Why this matters for IBD patients in Dubai
Even with modern biologics and advanced therapies for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, treatment selection is still often empirical. Omics research aims to reduce trial-and-error by identifying therapy-specific biological signatures that predict who is more likely to respond.
Questions and answers
What was the central question in this study?
The study was not trying to find “the best biologic overall.” The central question was whether a patient’s multi-omic biological signature could predict response vs non-response to a given therapy before treatment begins.
What does “multi-omics” mean in simple terms?
Multi-omics means combining multiple layers of biological information from the same patient and analysing them together. In this research, the signature was derived from a combination of:
- Blood tests and immune proteins (proteomics)
- Stool microbiome analysis (metagenomics)
- Urine metabolites (metabolomics)
- Intestinal tissue signals (transcriptomics)
- Genetic information
Which therapies were included?
The dataset included patients treated with:
- Anti-TNF therapy (e.g., infliximab/Remicade, adalimumab/Humira)
- Ustekinumab (Stelara)
- Vedolizumab (Entyvio)
- Tofacitinib (Xeljanz) – a small molecule (not a biologic), included as an advanced therapy
What was the microbiome signal in the study?
One of the most clinically interesting points was that microbiome associations differed by therapy (there was no single “one bacteria fits all” signal). Examples highlighted in the research included:
- Anti-TNF response: Prevotella, Anaerotruncus
- Ustekinumab response: Faecalibacterium
- Vedolizumab response: Catenibacterium
- Tofacitinib response: Phascolarctobacterium
Is this multi-omics test available as a routine clinical test in Dubai?
No. This is research-level multi-omics profiling and is not something that can be ordered through routine hospital or laboratory pathways. It still needs validation in broader real-world cohorts and simplification into clinically deployable assays.
What can you do now while we wait for this to reach routine care?
While this level of testing is still being researched, what remains in your control is the intestinal environment. Diet is one practical lever, and a Mediterranean-style dietary pattern is consistently supported in guidelines and research as beneficial for microbiome balance and immune health.
Recommended Guides
- Gut Microbiome in Crohn’s Disease & Ulcerative Colitis
- Predicting Biologic Treatment Success in Crohn’s & Ulcerative Colitis
- Crohn’s Disease – Symptoms, Tests & Treatment in Dubai
- Ulcerative Colitis – Symptoms, Tests & Treatment in Dubai
- How Biologics Work in Crohn’s & Colitis
- Crohn’s & Colitis: Why You Shouldn’t Stay on Steroids
- Ulcerative Colitis Progression in Dubai
- Is Your Gut Really Healed? Understanding Deep Remission
IBD-related Topics
- SIBO in Crohn’s & Ulcerative Colitis
- Rectal Bleeding
- Tremfya (Guselkumab) Explained
- Rinvoq – How It Works for Crohn’s & UC
- Curcumin & Qing Dai in Ulcerative Colitis
- 5-ASA – Why It Still Matters
- Biologicals & Pregnancy
- Predicting Vedolizumab Response Early in IBD
Blood Tests, Deficiencies & Safety Topics
- Iron Deficiency & Anaemia in IBD
- B12 & Folate Deficiency in IBD
- Flu Vaccines for IBD Patients on Biologics
- Gluten & IBD — Any Connection?
Lifestyle, Microbiome & Supplement Topics
- Diet, Microbiome & IBD
- Top Leaky Gut Supplements
- What Leaky Gut Really Means in IBD
- Stress & the Gut–Brain Axis in IBD
- Aloe Vera for Crohn’s & UC
- Black Cumin Seed Oil for IBD
- Vitamin D & Gut Health
- Supplements & Gut Health
Investigations & Procedures
- Colonoscopy
- Capsule Endoscopy
- Diagnostic Tests for Gastrointestinal Disorders
- Hydrogen & Methane Breath Test
- Gut Microbiome Test
- MRI Abdomen / MR Enterography
- CT Abdomen / CT Enterography
If you wish to discuss this further or would like to make an appointment, please use the booking form on this page. A member of our team will contact you within 12 business hours.