VODECA

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Volatile Organic Compounds for Detection of Colorectal Cancer (VODECA)

  • IRAS ID

    250738

  • Contact name

    Chris Probert

  • Contact email

    chris.probert@liverpool.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    University of Liverpool

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    2 years, 11 months, 30 days

  • Research summary

    Research Summary

    Volatile Organic compounds for detection of colorectal cancer or the VODECA study is a case control study that aims to investigate volatile organic compounds (VOCs) associated with adenomas and early colorectal cancer (CRC) ultimately developing a panel of VOCs that can be used to select patients for colonoscopy to improve detection of colorectal neoplasia and reduce deaths from colon cancer.

    We wish to recruit adult patients undergoing colonoscopy and patients being treated for colorectal polyps or cancer.

    The study will be 3 years in duration.

    Summary of Results

    We are studying the compounds (metabolites) and bacteria in the stool (faeces) of patients with bowel cancer, those with polyps and a control group with no tumour / cancer.

    Laboratory work is complete, but the data analysis is on-going.

    At present, it appears there are differences in the faecal metabolites when patients have bowel cancer. In depth analysis looking at patients with serious polyps suggests a similar pattern.

    Looking at bacteria, there are clear differences in faecal bacteria in patients with bowel cancer. Work to establish the link to polyps is on-going.

    When the data analysis is complete, the report will be submitted to medical journals for publication.

  • REC name

    East of England - Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    18/EE/0383

  • Date of REC Opinion

    29 Nov 2018

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion