The advent of anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) therapy has changed the way of 
treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, primary and secondary 
failure are relatively frequent with all anti-TNF agents, which are available 
only as parenteral agents. Tofacitinib is an oral janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor 
that inhibits JAK family kinase members, in particular JAK1 and JAK3, achieving 
a broad limitation of inflammation by interfering with several cytokine 
receptors. It first proved its efficacy as an immunosuppressive regimen after 
renal transplantation, and was recently approved by the FDA for rheumatoid 
arthritis. First data in IBD are promising, especially in ulcerative colitis. 
Ongoing clinical trials in both UC and Crohn's disease (CD) are needed to 
further explore its efficacy in CD and to better assess its safety profile.