Linda Yang
St Vincent’s Hospital and the University of Melbourne
Artificial Intelligence in IBD-related Dysplasia (AID) study is a multicenter prospective study that aims to develop a computer-aided image detection system to detect dysplasia in IBD patients.
Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at an increased risk of colorectal cancer and precursor dysplastic lesions. Surveillance colonoscopy is recommended for patients with disease duration greater than 8-10 years. However, colonoscopic detection of dysplasia is challenging. IBD-associated dysplasia is often invisible on endoscopy and can be difficult to distinguish from inflammation. Even when an abnormality is visible, differentiating polyps from inflammatory pseudopolyps associated with IBD can be challenging. The optimal approach for endoscopic surveillance is not well established and there is a high variability in detection of dysplasia even among expert endoscopists. Guidelines vary with regards to imaging techniques and biopsy protocols.
Artificial intelligence refers to machine learning to replicate or simulate human intelligence and is rapidly coming into use in clinical medicine including in the field of endoscopy. AI in IBD is in its early development with several pilot studies. However, the use of AI in detection of dysplasia in IBD has not been published.
The AID study aims to develop an AI system to assist in endoscopic detection of visible and invisible dysplasia and other mucosal lesions in IBD colonoscopy. This is the first study assessing the feasibility and impact of a computer-aided system in endoscopic detection of IBD-related dysplasia. The results of this study may lead to future studies such as real-time validation of the AI software in patients. Improvement in the detection of IBD-related dysplasia with the use of an AI system can facilitate timely treatment of dysplasia and reduce morbidity and mortality associated with IBD-related colorectal neoplasia.
Dr Adam Peterson
Monash Medical Centre
Despite rapid advances in the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), patients fail to improve their symptoms with current therapies and there is a dire need for new treatments.
Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) obtained from adult fatty tissues are now an established treatment for complex perianal fistulising Crohn’s disease and preliminary studies have shown the potential for these cells to also be useful in IBD within the bowel. Human amnion epithelial cells (hAEC) are isolated from the placenta and have similar therapeutic properties as MSC but can be obtained in far greater numbers from the placenta than MSC can be from adipose tissue or bone marrow.
Ulcerative proctitis is a commonly encountered type of ulcerative colitis, where the disease is confined to the rectum. It can cause debilitating symptoms and lead to a reduction in quality a life. Furthermore, it frequently fails to respond to usual treatments. Unfortunately, patients with isolated proctitis are often excluded from clinical drug trials, leaving a great unmet need. This research will expand the use of hAEC treatment to ulcerative proctitis through a clinical trial where they will be delivered via colonoscopy and injection into the bowel.
The outcomes of this research will provide a basis for their evaluation in further clinical studies and guide the development of hAEC towards a clinical therapy for IBD patients.
Dr Damjana Bogatic
The Royal Adelaide Hospital and The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Adelaide
FMT Therapy for PSC
Primarysclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a serious liver disease that can affect peoplewith inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), occurring in up to 3.8% of those withIBD. PSC causes damage to the bile ducts, which can lead to liver failure overtime. It is also linked to a higher risk of cancers in the gallbladder, bileducts, liver, and bowels. While new treatments for IBD have been developed in recentyears, there are no medicines that have been proven to slow the progression ofPSC, and liver transplantation is still the only treatment that can cure it.
Recentresearch suggests that the gut microbiome (the bacteria and microbes in ourgut) may play a role in both IBD and PSC. Studies have shown that people withPSC often have an unhealthy gut microbiome, and 80% of PSC patients also haveIBD, hinting at a possible connection. Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT)is a treatment where stool from a healthy person is transferred to a patient,in order to restore the gut microbiome and help treat the disease. This studyis looking at whether FMT, given through freeze-dried capsules, is safe forpeople with PSC. The study will also examine whether this treatment can helpslow down the progression of PSC, improve symptoms, quality of life, andIBD-related outcomes. It will also explore whether substances from the gutmicrobiome, carried through the bloodstream to the liver, might be causingdamage to the bile ducts and liver in PSC patients.
Prof. Sumaira Hasnain, A/Prof. Jakob Begun, Dr Rabina Giri, A/Prof. Seth Cheetham
The Mater Institute - The University of Queensland
The research team at Mater Research Institute - The University of Queensland isfocused on developing innovative treatments for intestinal fibrosis—an often disabling complication that affects over 35% of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), particularly those with Crohn’s disease. Despite effective control of inflammation, fibrosis can cause severe bowel narrowing and blockages, with no current therapies available to prevent or reverse this scarring process.
The team has identified a key molecule called Interleukin-24 (IL-24), which promotes fibrosis by activating cells that produce scar tissue in the intestine. Elevated levels of IL-24 have been observed in IBD patients, and preclinical studies have demonstrated that inhibiting IL-24 can significantly reduce fibrosis. Moreover, IL-24 works synergistically with other key cytokines to amplify the scarring response. Building on these discoveries, the project aims to develop therapies that target IL-24 to prevent or slow intestinal fibrosis.The most promising candidates will be tested on intestinal organoids derived from IBD patients to verify their ability to reduce fibrosis-related signals.The leading compounds will then undergo further testing in preclinical models to evaluate their safety, efficacy, and potential for clinical use. Additionally, the team is exploring the development of mRNA therapies designed to specifically lower IL-24 production for a more precise and stable intervention.
The project leverages collaborative industry and clinical partnerships to accelerate the translation of these therapies from the lab to real-world application. The overall goal is to create innovative, host-targeted treatments that can minimise intestinal scarring, reduce reliance on invasive surgeries. As no current therapies specifically address fibrosis in IBD, this research aims to fill a critical unmet medical need with targeted, scalable, and effective solutions.
