Principal Investigator: Guang-Yu Yang, MD Chronic inflammation is an important risk factor for cancer. Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) face a significantly increased risk of developing colorectal cancers. Damaged DNA and genetic alterations can be caused by the inflammatory process. Identifying crucial inflammation-associated molecular events offers potential targets to predict and prevent cancers. Missense p53 mutations are one of the most common and earliest molecular events seen in UC-associated carcinogenesis. Yet little is known about the evolution of p53 mutations during the long-term course of UC and whether targeting these mutations will have an impact on the long-term cancer risk in patients with UC. Employing a next-generation sequencing approach, Dr. Yang’s study aims to determine the mutation spectrum and load of the p53 gene in this patient population. The researchers intend to identify whether specific p53 mutations are critical in driving UC-induced carcinogenesis, and to evaluate its role as an efficient biomarker for predicting the risk of cancer development in UC...
Principal Investigator: Darren Brenner, MD Intestinal bacterial overgrowth (IBO) occurs when excessive amounts of bacteria build up in the small intestine (which is usually nearly sterile). These bacteria ferment ingested food, producing hydrogen, methane, and carbon dioxide. These intestinal gases can induce GI symptoms, including abdominal pain, bloating, distention, diarrhea, and constipation. Antibiotics often help, but for some patients, disruptive digestive symptoms will persist. IBO is subcategorized into two types: 1.) small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and 2.) intestinal methanogenic overgrowth. Recent studies suggest that increased methane production may come from the overgrowth of a specific type of bacteria. No current therapies exist to treat methane predominate IBO. An initial study of the herbal supplement Atrantil has shown promise. Investigating the potential benefit of this “holistic” treatment, Dr. Brenner will conduct a trial of Atrantil in 30 patients at the Northwestern Medicine Digestive Health Center. Researchers will evaluate Atrantil’s impact on reducing methane levels, lessening symptoms, and enhancing quality of life. The team believes Atrantil could offer an inexpensive and safe treatment for...
Principal Investigator: Josh Levitsky, MD | Co-Principal Investigator: Imran Nizamuddin, MD Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) causes chronic inflammation of the bile ducts and, over time, potential liver failure. What triggers PSC and how it is strongly linked to ulcerative colitis (UC) remains unclear. One theory is that a “leaky gut” allows toxic compounds from the intestines to erroneously enter the liver. Dr. Levitsky’s team intends to test this theory by measuring intestinal permeability in PSC patients. Intestinal permeability (leakiness) can be studied by comparing absorption of different simple sugar solutions. Study participants will drink several sugar solutions to compare absorption and elimination in the urine. Researchers anticipate that the sugar levels in the urine will be different between patients with PSC, patients with PSC and ulcerative colitis, and healthy patients. If this occurs, the team will evaluate therapies, such as antibiotics, to assess their impact on the “leaky gut.” This project may serve as an initial step toward developing personalized treatment options for patients who currently don’t have any therapeutic options—currently a high unmet need in the field of...
Principal Investigator: Tiffany Taft, PsyD Living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is both physically and psychologically challenging and has the potential to negatively impact patient lives. As many as one-third of individuals with IBD demonstrate significant post-traumatic stress (PTS) symptoms, according to the first study of IBD-related PTS in the United States conducted by Dr. Taft and her team. Negative hospital experiences may play a substantial role. Further advancing this research, Dr. Taft aims to identify targets for early psychosocial counseling to better intervene and prevent the potential impact of undiagnosed PTS on patient outcomes. The novel study will include the use of online patient surveys to better understand PTS prevalence in IBD and to assess differences in illnesses and demographics traits between IBD patients with and without PTS. The next step will involve in-depth interview s with patients recruited from Northwestern’s and Rush University’s gastroenterology clinics. A clinical psychologist who specializes in working with adult IBD patients will conduct these interviews to gather information not easily collected via standardized tests to better evaluate PTS causes and guide...
Principal Investigator: Emanuelle Bellaguarda, MD; Co-Principal Investigator: Stephen B. Hanauer, MD Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) often affects people in their reproductive years, with little known about the impact of anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive therapies on reproductive health. Men with IBD and their partners often request information on the effect of medication on male fertility. Fears and doubts significantly affect family planning as well as impact adherence to drug treatment and disease control. Fertility concerns emphasize the need to investigate the safety of drug treatment in these patients. Investigating the impact of two novel IBD treatments on sperm quality and genetic structure in male patients, Dr. Bellaguarda hopes to improve future patient care by ultimately enhancing patient counseling. Her team at Northwestern Memorial Hospital has joined forces with Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark to take advantage of the expert knowledge in the different centers within reproduction, medical treatment in IBD, and drug...
