The POCER & STRIDENT Studies
Revolutionising the Treatment of Crohn's Disease
​
In the STRIDENT (Stricture Definition and Treatment) studies we defined how to treat the commonest complication of Crohn's disease: narrowing of the bowel (strictures). This complication often necessitate surgery to remove affected bowel. This ground-breaking program demonstrates that intense non-surgical drug therapy can often heal the bowel and prevent the need for surgery.
The STRIDENT studies are a world-first addressing this neglected complication. In addition to devising a treatment that avoided the need for surgery, these studies established how best to use imaging techniques like MRI and ultrasound to monitor treatment response and identify patients most likely to benefit from drug therapy.
Going forward
Beyond the original clinical trial, this research program will use innovative laboratory studies to investigate the underlying mechanisms that cause stricturing Crohn's disease. Determining which gut bacteria cause strictures and bowel thickening (fibrosis and scarring) will lead to the development of targeted therapy.
Expert researchers at our microbiome laboratory at St Vincent's Hospital and The University of Melbourne, collaborating with The University of Queensland, are leading this program.
The ultimate goal is to transform the natural history of Crohn's disease by reducing the need for surgery, preventing disability, and improving quality of life through personalised medical approaches tailored to individual patients.
Crohn’s disease is characterised by gut inflammation. The disease starts at any age, but most commonly in childhood, teenage years, or young adulthood. Gut symptoms can be severe and lead to disability and impaired quality of life. There is no cure.
Historically up to 80 percent of patients will require at least one operation in their lifetime, either because the disease can’t be adequately controlled with medications, or due to disease complications. The disease often recurs after surgery, however, with many patients needing repeat operations.
AGIRF is committed to improving treatment and ultimately finding a cure.
In the POCER (Post Operative Crohn’s Disease Endoscopic Recurrence) platform of studies, we defined the optimal strategy for preventing Crohn’s disease recurring after surgery. It defined how to monitor and treat disease effectively.
This study won many awards including:
- the best global study in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) at the European Crohn’s Colitis Organisation, the world’s premier IBD organisation.
- the Victorian Premier’s Research Prize
- the Gastroenterology Society of Australia Young Investigator Award
​
CLINICAL GROUP
PROFESSOR MICHAEL KAMM
PROFESSOR OF
GASTROENTEROLOGY
The University of Melbourne,
St Vincent’s Hospital
ASSOC. PROFESSOR EMILY WRIGHT
GASTROENTEROLOGIST
The University of Melbourne, St. Vincent's Hospital
​
DR GRACE LOVETT
GASTROENTEROLOGIST
The University of Melbourne, St Vincent's Hospital
ASSOC. PROFESSOR BRONTE HOLT
GASTROENTEROLOGIST
St Vincent’s Hospital
DR. JULIEN SCHULBERG
GASTROENTEROLOGIST
The University of Melbourne, St. Vincent's Hospital
DR. AMY HAMILTON
CLINICAL SCIENTIST
The University of Melbourne,
St Vincent’s Hospital
SCIENTIFIC GROUP
PROFESSOR MARK MORRISON
PROFESSOR OF MICROBIOLOGY
The Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland
DR. JULIE DAVIES
RESEARCH FELLOW
St Vincent’s Institute
EVE GRAY
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
St Vincent’s Institute