Risk Estimation of Gastrointestinal Mucosal Early Neoplasia (REGIMEN)

Research summary

Cancer of the oesophagus, the stomach and the bowel are often diagnosed at advanced stage when curative treatment is no longer possible, or can only be achieved by major surgical procedures, often combined with chemo- and radiotherapy, all of which have a huge impact on the patient’s quality of life. Patients with precursor conditions of oesophageal cancer (so-called Barrett Oesophagus) have shown clear benefit from regular surveillance of the respective areas by special camera tests. Both, early detection and treatment of precursor conditions is achieved by mean of endoscopic tests, i.e. the use of high end, flexible camera tubes. But the identification of the respective areas of interest is often difficult and requires a high level of expertise. The assessment of each patient’s individual cancer risk remains often vague and still relies on precise tissue sampling, sample workup by expert pathologists and further clinical and demographic data. The primary aim of the study is to generate a cohort of patients with clearly defined risk conditions and to analyse their tissue and blood samples in order to better understand the biology of precancerous conditions and the risk factors associated with these. The knowledge will then allow us to identify more precise markers that can be applied during the specific camera tests in order to (a) better identify precancerous high-risk areas, and (b) stratify the individual risk for cancer development of each patient. A further aim of the study is the identification of blood-based markers that identify patients at high risk who would then need further tests while others could be re-assured. We are looking to recruit 1000 patients undergoing endoscopy procedures, over 5 years, and to fllow them up for another 5 years after recruitment.

Principal Investigator

Dr Alison Simmons

Contact us

Email: simona.fouire@ndm.ox.ac.uk

IRAS number

305182