The aim of this study was to investigate the expression patterns of p16, p53 and VEGF in affected tissue and serum levels of cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, TGF-β and IL-17 in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and fistulating Crohn’s disease (CD). Serum levels of cytokines in patients with ulcerative colitis (n=24) and with Crohn’s disease (n=7) were analysed by ELISA. In colonoscopically obtained biopsies, p16, p53 and vascular endothelial growth factor expression were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The results of this study clearly show the predominance of pro-inflammatory type 1 and 17 immune response in patients with CD compared to those with UC. We believe that altered p16 and p53 induce enhanced VEGF expression and implicates enhanced production of pro-inflammatory TNF-α and IL-6. TNF-α and IL-6 further facilitate development of type 1/17 immune response.