Although the causes of inflammatory bowel disease currently are not fully understood, increasing evidence implicates cytokines as key factors in the development of this disorder. The rationale for cytokine-targeted therapy for inflammatory bowel disease has been refined significantly, and clinical studies have been initiated. Recent investigations have focused on transcription factors that regulate production and activation of cytokines, including the nuclear factor-kappa B, the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma, and the Janus kinases/signal transducers and activator of transcription pathways. Although their exact role in inflammatory bowel disease is still unknown, further studies may lead to identification of additional possible targets for therapeutic intervention that could improve management of the disease. Copyright 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel