UCLH has opened a new trial for people with ulcerative colitis and recruited the first participant globally.
Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease where inflammation of the colon causes symptoms like bleeding and diarrhoea.
UC has become more common in the UK over the last 25 years and now affects about 0.5% people. A small proportion of patients need surgery or develop bowel cancer due to difficulties controlling the diseases.
The study drug is in a new class of medication called TL1A inhibitors. TL1A is a protein found naturally in the body that has a role in inflammation and fibrosis. It has been found that TL1A levels are increased in patients with ulcerative colitis. This increase is thought to lead to the development and worsening of this inflammatory disease. It is hoped that treatment with this class of medication will help control inflammation in UC.
Patients with UC often take medicines for other conditions as well. Some of these medicines rely on enzymes to process the medicine so that it can work properly. This study will help find out if the study drug interacts with other medication patients with UC may need to take. Researchers also want to find out more about the safety of the study drug.
The study is being led at UCLH by Dr Paul Harrow, Consultant Gastroenterologist, and Clinical Lead for Gastroenterology at University College Hospital, and is being delivered at NIHR Clinical Research Facility: UCLH.
Approximately 6 participants will take part in the study in the UK and 25 worldwide.
Dr Harrow said: “We are excited to be able to participate in this study which we hope will lead to a new treatment pathway for patients with UC. I appreciate the time and efforts of the participants and the whole study team who made this possible.”
Dr Harrow was one of several consultants to receive funding as part of the first cohort of a research leadership programme co-ordinated by the UCLH/UCL Research Directorate providing clinicians with protected time to deliver research – both commercial and non-commercial – that they would not otherwise have capacity to do.
Dr Nick McNally, Managing Director of Research at UCLH/UCL, said: “We awarded Dr Harrow funding as part of our highly competitive programme as it was clear to us that he was building an impressive pipeline of trials in close collaboration with industry, and also had the tools and processes in place to identify which patients would be eligible for trials. It's great to see this investment delivering results, with UCLH recruiting the first participant globally to this important study. This achievement is also a reflection of the support provided by our NIHR Clinical Research Facility."
