STARS-CRC
Research type
Research Study
Full title
STAtins in Reduction of Septic complications after ColoRectal Cancer resection - A prospective observational cohort study to investigate neutrophil function and the impact of peri-operative statin therapy.
IRAS ID
143964
Contact name
Jonathan Richardson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Heart Of England NHS Foundation Trust
Research summary
This study aims to investigate how the function of the body’s white blood cells (neutrophils) are affected by surgery and why some patients develop infection following surgery.
White blood cells are the first line of defence against micro-organisms which are responsible for causing infections in humans. It has been proposed that the function of these cells is altered following surgery and it has been suggested that this is why some patients develop post-operative infections and complications.
Statins (cholesterol lowering medications) may be novel agents for the treatment and prevention of infection and it has been proposed that they may reduce post-operative infections and complications. Statins may modify the function of the body’s white blood cells and this is why they may be beneficial in the setting of surgery.
This research area requires further investigation due to the lack evidence to support the routine use of statins around surgery.
This study will look at the white blood cells from samples of blood in patients undergoing bowel resection. This research aims to improve our understanding of the processes which occur in white blood cells that lead to the development of post-operative infections and complications.
By increasing our understanding of these processes it may be possible to identify potential treatments that could improve outcomes in patients undergoing surgery.
REC name
West Midlands - Solihull Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/WM/0485
Date of REC Opinion
30 Dec 2013
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion