On the basis of several studies that have been completed to date, some growth factors appear promising for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease: keratinocyte-like growth factor-2 (KGF-2), epidermal growth factor (EGF) enemas used in combination with oral mesalamine, somatropin (human growth hormone), and sargramostim (recombinant human GM-CSF). The results of these studies are highlighted and suggest that new insights into the regulation of intestinal immunity may provide effective synergistic or single-agent treatment alternatives to immunosuppression for inflammatory bowel disease. These data focus on the reparative components of mucosal homeostasis.