PULSed field ablAtion of coloRectal polyps. A pilot study_Version 2
Research type
Research Study
Full title
PULSed field ablAtion of coloRectal polyps. A pilot study
IRAS ID
337105
Contact name
Amyn Haji
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King’s College Hospital NHS
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Colorectal cancer (or bowel cancer) is the commonest cancer of the digestive tract, the second commonest cause of cancer deaths in the western hemisphere and the third commonest cancer in the United Kingdom. Most bowel cancers arise from tricky, precancerous growths called polyps. Prompt and effective treatment of these polyps can potentially prevent or cure bowel cancer at its earliest stages.
King’s College Hospital runs a special service dedicated to treating these tricky lesions called the Special Polyps and Early Colorectal Cancer Service (SPECCS) using a variety of methods. These techniques include removing the polyps usually through a camera test (colonoscopy). Other options include Keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery, robotic surgery and sometimes open surgery. These treatments come with a number of risks and also have a long waiting list.
Imagine if we could treat these troublesome growths without invasive surgeries or harsh treatment. This is where a unique technique called electroporation comes in. Electroporation uses small electric pulses, applied on the surface of these growths, to temporarily open up tiny doors in the outer wall of these cells. These doors, called pores, disrupts the structure of the bad tissue and makes them ‘commit suicide’ through a process called apoptosis. This treatment is faster, easier, more comfortable and doesn’t harm normal tissue as much, thus making it a safer alternative. It’s already being used to treat frail patients with bowel cancer who cannot undergo tougher forms of treatment and we believe this technology also has the ability to deal with bowel polyps.
This study is a pilot research involving a small number of patients with bowel polyps who will be treated with electroporation given during colonoscopy. The camera test will be repeated at 6weeks, 6months, 1 year and 3 years to assess the effectiveness on the polyp and the safety of the patient.REC name
West Midlands - Solihull Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/WM/0200
Date of REC Opinion
27 Nov 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Unfavourable Opinion