A Novel Idea: Using Technology to Advance IBD Research

A Novel Idea: Using Technology to Advance IBD Research
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When Crohn’s disease was first described in 1932, very little was understood about the disease (then referred to as regional ileitis). Ulcerative colitis (UC) had been described 50 years earlier, distinguishing the illness from other diarrheal diseases caused by infectious agents. For years, little was understood about Crohn’s and colitis – some believed the disease was intestinal tuberculosis. Others thought it was an infection.

We’ve come a long way since those early days. Research has been underway to better understand these diseases, to uncover the causes, and to develop effective treatments. Major scientific advances, specifically in the fields of genetics, immunology, and microbiology, have led to greater understanding of the underlying mechanisms involved in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), resulting in the development of increasingly effective treatments.

There have been several advancements in the IBD space that have truly revolutionized patient care over the past 50 years. The first occurred in the late 1970s when Sir Alan Parks pioneered the ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA or j-pouch).

Prior to this, patients with ulcerative colitis who underwent surgery would have their colon and rectum removed, and lived with an ostomy bag for the rest of their lives. With the j-pouch surgery, patients undergo two or three surgeries to remove the colon and rectum and create an internal pouch, removing the need to live with a permanent ostomy. In the years since the introduction into the IBD space, the j-pouch surgery has drastically improved the quality of life for UC patients.

Ulcerative colitis Jordan Wilson at the Foundation’s spin4 crohn’s & colitis cures event in 2016

Ulcerative colitis Jordan Wilson at the Foundation’s spin4 crohn’s & colitis cures event in 2016

“I've been living with a healthy j-pouch since 2013 and it was the best decision of my life to have the surgery,” said Jordan Wilson, an ulcerative colitis patient. “Not only was the relief from painful ulcerative colitis symptoms instantaneous, I've also been able to return to participating in all the activities I enjoyed before becoming sick, whether it's fitness, hanging out with friends, riding my motorcycle, or pursuing my career goals.”

One of the most groundbreaking research discoveries occurred in the late 1980s/early 1990s when Jackson Laboratory was able to successfully breed three colonies of mice with different forms of IBD, developing the first animal models for IBD research. Animal models enable scientists to test emerging technologies and new therapeutics for the prevention and treatment of IBD.

Another recent breakthrough in IBD research was the discovery and approval of antibody-based biologic therapies in the late 1990s. Biologic therapies that use antibodies (blood proteins produced by the body to fight disease) decrease inflammation in the intestine by blocking proteins responsible for adverse autoimmune activity resulting in the symptoms and clinical findings of IBD. With the discovery of biologic therapies, more and better treatment options for IBD have become available and have helped more patients go into and remain in remission.

Research continues to advance, helping us to gain a better understanding of IBD diagnosis, treatment, and care, and bringing us closer to finding cures for these debilitating digestive diseases. However, there are still hurdles that we must overcome to make true advancements in the IBD space.

As science – all science – advances rapidly, the Foundation is continuing to look outside the IBD space at technological and research advances that might be applicable to the needs of our patients. Last month, we convened a workshop with an international, multidisciplinary group of professionals to discuss the current unmet needs in IBD patient care and whether or not there are new technologies that could be implemented to address those needs.

In preparing for this Novel Technologies Workshop, we identified key unmet clinical needs for IBD patients that included detecting active disease associated with ongoing inflammation; preventing and managing recurrent disease after surgery; and managing perianal and post-operative complications. At the workshop, we explored how to meet these clinical needs through innovative ways of applying advanced technologies, such as imaging and sensing technologies, surgical tools and implantable devices, and regenerative medicine/stem cell-based technology.

At the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation, we are committed to identifying and promoting technologies that can reach clinical studies to meet these needs within the next three to four years. The path to better treatments and cures for IBD is accelerated by incorporating technology into research. Our Novel Technologies Workshop provided valuable insight into the ways in which technology advancements can bring new and exciting opportunities to improve the quality of life for IBD patients.

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