Risk factors for colorectal precursor lesions
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Risk factors for colorectal cancer in individuals’ with a colorectal precursor lesion
IRAS ID
152955
Contact name
Jaim Sutton
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Joint Research Management Office (JRMO)
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 9 months, 31 days
Research summary
Retrospective case control study to identify molecular biomarkers that predict future bowel precursor lesions and bowel cancer in individuals’ with a bowel precursor lesion.
Bowel precursor lesions and bowel cancer are identified and removed from individuals’ bowels by endoscopy. These removed precursor lesions are currently assessed for the risk of future bowel precursor lesions and cancer, by assessing their size, cell shape, morphology and number. As bowel precursor lesions that are larger, villous, abnormal cell shape and multiple are deemed higher risk for future lesions and bowel cancer. Individuals classified as high risk, are surveilled more frequently by endoscopy to identify bowel lesions and cancer as early as possible. However not all people who are high or low risk for future precursor lesions and bowel cancer are identified correctly with this current method of lesion risk stratification. This is important as bowel cancer incidence and mortality is significantly reduced by removal of precursor lesions and endoscopy is invasive and costly.
During this project a retrospective case control study will be carried out in NHS Trust hospitals, using surplus archival bowel tissue samples. Molecular differences will be measured and compared in people with bowel precursor lesions at high (cases) and low (controls) risk for future precursor lesions and bowel cancer; with the aim of identifying more sensitive molecular biomarkers for risk stratification. A risk prediction model will be developed, taking into account individuals’ molecular and personal characteristics gathered from the literature and case control study. This model will be used to predict which individuals with bowel precursor lesions have a high risk of future precursor lesions and bowel cancer. This will enable patients to undergo further tailored surveillance and preventive diagnosis and treatment. This study is for three years and is funded by the Trevor Collins Foundation and Medical Research Council.
REC name
HSC REC A
REC reference
15/NI/0142
Date of REC Opinion
21 Jul 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion