Our understanding of the etiology and pathogenesis of IBD has improved extensively over the past years. At the center of the pathogenesis seems to be an excessive pro-inflammatory immune reaction towards normal intestinal flora. The different factors involved in this concept will form the focus of this review. The initial phase of antigen processing and presentation can be influenced by either modulation of the intestinal flora via antibiotics or probiotics or by direct stimulation of macrophages through GM-CSF treatment. Antigen recognition and activation of T-cells can be down-regulated by immunosuppressives such as azathioprine, CsA or methotrexate thus building the basis for current treatment in IBD. The pro-inflammatory character of the immune reaction is defined by the predominance of certain T-cell subpopulations. By targeting cytokines the disbalance of these subpopulation should be reconstituted. Here we will focus first on preliminary clinical as well as experimental data for the pro-inflammatory mediators IL-12 and IL-18 as well as for the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Second, the clinical data for the TNFalpha antibody that has been proven to be efficacious in Crohn's disease and the associated risks will be discussed. Last, recent clinical and experimental data on targeting cell adhesion as well as intracellular signaling pathways will be presented. In summary, with regard to this review, treatments, which intervene as early as possible in the initiation of the pathological immune reaction and simultaneously have a favorable side-effect profile, must be the focus of future research.