Microbial analysis of neoadjuvant rectal cancer treatment
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Determining impact of the composition of the Oral and Faecal Microbiota on the response of Patients with Rectal Cancer to therapy before Surgery.
IRAS ID
264943
Contact name
George Ramsay
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Aberdeen/ NHS Grampian
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
20/HRA/2393, RECONLYPR
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
The degree of shrinkage of a rectal cancer in response to treatment carried out before operation is influenced by the body’s immune system. In some other cancers there is evidence that the bacteria normally living in our mouth and in our large bowel may influence the way our body mounts an immune response to a cancer. In this study patients with rectal cancer requiring radiotherapy before surgery will be asked to give samples of saliva and bowel motions before radiotherapy starts, and again just before surgery. These samples will have the types and numbers of bacteria analysed, and levels of bacterial breakdown products in faeces will be determined. The combined results will be compared with data about how the rectal cancer responds to the radiotherapy, which will be assessed by the pathologist using standard criteria.
REC name
London - Bloomsbury Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/HRA/2393
Date of REC Opinion
3 Jul 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion