HMN 2026: How Blood tests can reveal risk of ulcerative colitis—long before becoming ill

Researchers at Örebro University have identified blood markers that can indicate who is at risk of developing ulcerative colitis—a chronic inflammatory bowel disease—later in life. These markers can be present for many years before the first symptoms appear. In their study published in the Journal of Crohn’s and Colitis, the researchers analyzed blood samples from large population studies to identify a specific antibody called anti-integrin ?v?6.

The results show that people who are later diagnosed with ulcerative colitis more often have these antibodies in their blood long before the disease develops—in some cases many years before diagnosis.

Potential for earlier intervention

The researchers believe that the discovery provides a clearer picture of how the disease can develop at an early stage. In the long term, this knowledge may lead to better ways of identifying risk and open up opportunities for earlier intervention.

“Earlier detection may enable treatment to be started earlier. Theoretically, this could prevent or at least delay the onset of symptoms and the diagnosis of ulcerative colitis. It could also reduce the risk of long-term complications. Of course, it is too early to draw firm conclusions. Still, the findings allow us to develop these ideas further,” says Jonas Halfvarson, professor of medicine at Örebro University.

The results are being presented this week at the 21st Congress of the European Crohn’s and Colitis Organization (ECCO 2026) in Stockholm, which focuses on research into inflammatory bowel disease. The study was conducted in collaboration with Örebro University, Uppsala University, Lund University and Umeå University, among others.

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