Microbial immunity in inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Immune cell circuits and tissue compartmentalisation in control of intestinal inflammation and tumorigenesis
IRAS ID
225330
Contact name
Stella Knight
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are a major source of morbidity, causing abdominal pain, bloody diarrhoea, fistulas and weight loss, and the incidence is rising, particularly in younger age groups. The causes of the disease are unknown but it is clear that changes in the types of bacteria present in the intestine are related to the disease, suggesting that certain bacteria drive the disease process or that immune responses against particular bacteria are abnormal in IBD. The resulting immune response against gut bacteria causes prolonged inflammation, driving the disease process. Current treatments for IBD rely on general suppression of the immune system but these have limited success rates in both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis patients. IBD patients have increased risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC) but the mechanisms that allow tumours to develop in inflamed tissue and how these are influenced by gut bacteria are not understood. The objective of this study is to identify immunological and microbiological factors in immune-mediated diseases of the gut and to understand how gut bacteria interact with the immune system in health and disease. We will study immune cell types and immune responses to bacteria using blood and gut tissue from newly diagnosed untreated patients, or IBD patients before and after standard treatment, alongside healthy controls. We will also study CRC patients and cases of familial adenomatous polyposis, a condition that precedes CRC. We will use the data to develop new therapeutic options that redirect the immune response.
REC name
London - Harrow Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/1636
Date of REC Opinion
11 Jan 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion