Liverpool ALD bioresource
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Genetic Risk Factors for Alcoholic Liver Disease – Use of an existing bioresource
IRAS ID
167586
Contact name
Munir Pirmohamed
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research Support Office
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
For GenomALC: 11977, UKCRN
Duration of Study in the UK
years, months, days
Research summary
Alcohol dependence is a major global public health concern, approximately 5% of the UK population match clinical criteria for this condition. The use and abuse of alcohol is considered a leading risk factor for many non-communicable diseases.
During the 1990’s a study was established (99/088) to collect blood samples from high alcohol consumers with the aim of analysing genetic risk factors for alcohol-related disease. Since this time techniques have advanced (e.g., development of genome wide association analysis) and an amendment was approved in September 2005 to allow such work. Since this time no further research has been conducted on these samples. It is also acknowledged that no updates for this project have been provided to the REC since 2005. Due to the duration of time that has elapsed we have decided to apply for new ethical approval to use these samples.
The primary reason for applying for ethical approval at the present time is due to engagement with an international consortium (GenomALC: http://genomalc.org/) investigating the genetic factors underlying alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC). Our understanding of ALC is poor, which has hampered the development of specific pharmaceutical interventions. Identification of genetic risk factors that predispose some heavy drinkers to develop ALC may lead to an improved understanding of how alcohol damages the liver, strategies to prevent liver disease and may guide development of new treatment modalities. The GenomALC project, which has UK REC approval (12/LO/0071), is funded by NIH and is collecting both prospective and retrospective samples to form the world’s largest ALC biobank. The samples we have available would contribute to this tissue bank, and negate the need for further prospective recruitment.
We also wish to apply for approval to use these samples and associated clinical data, collected at the time of enrolment, for other genomic studies that are relevant to the cohort.REC name
London - Surrey Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/1047
Date of REC Opinion
4 Jun 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion