A proteomic profiling study identified plasma protein signatures that forecast Crohn’s disease onset as much as 16 years before clinical diagnosis. Researchers profiled longitudinal cohorts and built predictive models that flagged at‑risk individuals long before symptom emergence, offering a potential window for early surveillance or preventive interventions. The work underscores the power of large‑scale proteomics for preclinical disease detection and suggests candidate pathways for mechanistic follow up. Translation will require validation in independent populations and assessment of clinical utility, including whether earlier intervention alters outcomes.