Getting the Best Care
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic illnesses, meaning that until the scientific community discovers cures, patients will continue living with these diseases. A key component to ensuring the well-being of patients living with a chronic illness is to continuously evolve and improve patient care.
With the support of grants from Crohn's and Colitis Canada, the researchers noted below are diligently working on research projects that focus on discovering and implementing new ways to ensure patients have access to the best care possible.
2023 Grant Recipients
Dr. Jean-François Beaulieu | Université de Sherbrooke
Research: Mass spectrometry-based stool test to improve the diagnosis and management of inflammatory bowel disease
Date: 2023-2026
Amount: $375,000
Using mass spectrometry, this ongoing research has identified 400 stool protein markers as potential non-invasive Crohn’s and colitis markers. The team is seeking to confirm them with the goal of being able to rapidly determine whether a person has the diseases; whether they have Crohn’s or colitis; and whether their disease is active or in remission. This research also seeks to confirm the lists of proteins for each condition by collecting additional samples and starting blind testing to determine the accuracy of their approach. The ultimate goal is to create a non-invasive, accurate screening test that improves diagnosis.
Dr. Giada Sebastiani | The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal l
Research: Fatty Liver, Fibrosis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Triple Threat
Date: 2023-2026
Amount: $375,000
Fatty liver disease may affect one in three people living with IBD and can lead to liver fibrosis (scarring of the liver) and deadly complications, such as cirrhosis and liver cancer. This research aims to determine the risk of liver disease among those with IBD and to develop clinical guidelines to improve care for those affected. The study will follow 680 Crohn’s or colitis patients for three years to determine their risk of liver fibrosis, identify any IBD-related factors for the development of fatty liver disease and determine the effect of fatty liver disease on healthcare system use.
Dr. Karine Tremblay | Université de Sherbrooke
Research: Pharmacogenetics of Biological Therapies in Ulcerative Colitis Treatment
Date: 2023-2026
Amount: $375,000
One-third of colitis patients do not respond well to current drugs – potentially due to genes that regulate their individual response. This research seeks to identify specific genes that positively or negatively affect response to biologic drugs. Identifying these genetic markers is a way to better understand an individual’s predicted reaction, thereby speeding up the process of selecting drugs that will work, ultimately improving treatments.