SciCom
13October2022

ECCO Grant Study Synopsis: Silvia Cerantola

Silvia Cerantola, ECCO Grant Awardee

Decoding the neuroimmune crosstalk in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases


Silvia Cerantola
© Silvia Cerantola

Background & aim of research

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) results from an anomalous interaction between genetic, environmental, immunoregulatory and microbial-derived factors. IBD- associated specific mutations include genes involved in microbial recognition, such as mutations in the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Beside controlling host defence responses, TLR4 modulates enteric nervous system (ENS) activity, gut motility and repair processes following an insult. TLR4 deficiency in mice leads to significant ENS alterations, characterised by modified gut motility and susceptibility to inflammation. The findings of decreased gut catecholamine levels in IBD patients and the onset of milder experimental colitis after sympathectomy highlight the role of the nervous system as a key regulator of immune responses. Therefore, our research project aims to decode the neuroimmune interactions between the catecholaminergic system and innate immune sensor TLR4 in dinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (DNBS)-induced ileitis.

Posted in ECCO News, SciCom, Committee News, Volume 17, Issue 3, Fellowships & Grants Synopsis Reports

13October2022

ECCO Grant Study Synopsis: Margarita Papatheodoridi

Margarita Papatheodoridi, ECCO Grant Awardee

Deciphering the bioactive role of extracellular matrix fragments (matrikines) in Crohn's Disease (CD) fibrostenosis as potential therapeutic targets and biomarkers


Margarita Papatheodoridi
© Margarita Papatheodoridi

Background & aim of research

We have pioneered in studying ex vivo extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling, which is known for its key role in Crohn’s Disease (CD) fibrostenosis. By adding disease-relevant enzymes on the ECM of CD patients’ intestine, we identified numerous matrikines (specific ECM peptide fragments) unique in CD fibrostenosis. Peptidomics software analysis showed specific likelihood for bioactivity for 19 of those matrikines (Giuffrida et. al, unpublished data) ().

This project aims to explore the bioactivity of matrikines in CD fibrostenosis in vitro.

Posted in ECCO News, SciCom, Committee News, Volume 17, Issue 3, Fellowships & Grants Synopsis Reports

13October2022

ECCO Grant Study Synopsis: Robert V. Bryant

Robert V. Bryant, ECCO Grant Awardee

Examining a novel sulphide-reducing diet As Therapy in Ulcerative Colitis (EAT-UC trial)


Robert V. Bryant
© Robert V. Bryant

Background & aim of research

It is currently unknown whether diet influences inflammation in Ulcerative Colitis (UC). Observational and experimental data suggest that modulating sulphide within the luminal environment may have therapeutic potential for UC. The aim of this trial is therefore to determine whether a sulphide-reducing diet, designed to attenuate excess microbial production of potentially noxious gases in the colon, can induce remission in UC.

Posted in ECCO News, SciCom, Committee News, Volume 17, Issue 3, Fellowships & Grants Synopsis Reports

13October2022

ECCO Grant Study Synopsis: Ferdinando D’Amico

Ferdinando D’Amico, ECCO Grant Awardee

Comparative accuracy of TransPerineal UltraSound (TPUS) versus Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for the assessment of perianal fistulae in patients with Crohn’s Disease: a prospective observational longitudinal cohort study


Ferdinando D’Amico
© Ferdinando D’Amico

Background & aim of research

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the first-line imaging modality for monitoring of perianal disease in patients with Crohn’s Disease (CD). However, its use depends on local availability, costs and expertise. Few studies are available on the role of transperineal ultrasound (TPUS). Performing MRI alone in all patients would impose a substantial expense on the health service and would represent a limitation for the many patients who cannot tolerate the procedure (e.g. owing to claustrophobia). For this reason, we urgently need a painless, non-invasive, cost-effective and widely available modality to assess perianal disease and predict disease outcomes. In this observational prospective study, we investigate the accuracy of TPUS versus pelvic MRI in the diagnosis and monitoring of medical and surgical treatment of perianal fistulae in CD patients.

Posted in ECCO News, SciCom, Committee News, Volume 17, Issue 3, Fellowships & Grants Synopsis Reports

15June2022

New SciCom member

Sebastian Zeissig, SciCom Chair and Isabelle Cleynen, SciCom Member

Sebastian Zeissig
© ECCO


Isabelle Cleynen
© ECCO

SciCom announces the recent election of new member Isabelle Cleynen during the ECCO’22 Congress, with a mandate running from 2022 to 2025.

Posted in ECCO News, SciCom, Committee News, Volume 17, Issue 2

15June2022

ECCO Young Researcher Award

Sebastian Zeissig, SciCom Chair

Sebastian Zeissig 
© ECCO

Dear ECCO Friends and Members,

It is with great pleasure and excitement that we announce the brand new ECCO Young Researcher Award 2022. This new ECCO Prize will be awarded to outstanding young researchers in recognition of their excellent contributions to basic and clinical science in the field of IBD. With this prize, ECCO strives to further support the visibility of exceptional young talents in IBD, acknowledge their achievements in the field and facilitate their ongoing and future research.

Posted in ECCO News, SciCom, Committee News, Volume 17, Issue 2

28April2022

Report on the 10th SciCom Workshop at ECCO'22

Isabelle Cleynen, SciCom Member

Isabelle Cleynen 
© ECCO

This year we celebrated the 10th edition of the SciCom Workshop. What better way to do this than by looking ahead at future therapeutic IBD targets?

To set the scene, Marc Ferrante took us through the limitations of current IBD therapies, including the therapeutic ceiling, lack of information on niche indications (e.g. anal fistula, pouchitis), drugs that become available despite many remaining questions, and safety and economic aspects. However, there is a bright future ahead, with many opportunities to explore, such as the need for novel drugs with better efficacy, thinking beyond anti-inflammatory drugs, head-to-head trials, using drugs more efficiently, considering other aetiological factors, precision medicine and more.

Posted in ECCO News, SciCom, Committee News, Congress News, ECCO'22, Volume 17, Issue 1

28April2022

ECCO Fellowships and Grants Report

Sebastian Zeissig, SciCom Chair


Sebastian Zeissig 
© ECCO

One of the main goals of ECCO is to promote IBD-related basic and clinical research as well as to foster interaction and productive collaboration among European research groups working in the IBD field. To achieve this goal, ECCO supports numerous funding schemes with different scopes including ECCO Fellowships, Grants, and Travel Awards.

Posted in ECCO News, SciCom, Committee News, Congress News, ECCO'22, Volume 17, Issue 1

28April2022

Call for applications for ECCO Fellowships, Grants and Travel Awards

Sebastian Zeissig, SciCom Chair

Sebastian Zeissig 
© ECCO

Dear ECCO Members and Friends, 

ECCO has established Fellowships, Grants and Travel Awards to encourage and support young physicians in their careers and to promote innovative research in IBD.   

Posted in ECCO News, SciCom, Committee News, Volume 17, Issue 1

16December2021

Fostering excellent science in IBD surgery

Michel Adamina, S-ECCO Chair

Michel Adamina
© ECCO

Surgery is based on several principles that hold true across specialties and time trends: knowledge of the disease at hand and the surgical anatomy; understanding of the patient’s needs and values; interpersonal and communication skills; professionalism and practice-based learning in the decision to perform and the execution of a surgical procedure; and broad competencies in postoperative care and follow-up, in particular when treating patients with chronic diseases. Science, on the other hand, is led by curiosity and honesty with the desire to build knowledge and understanding of our world. In a world with limited resources and with care practice increasingly focusing on the individual needs of patients, tailored treatment is increasingly sought after. Hence, fostering excellent science in IBD surgery may translate into a quest for value-based, innovative ways of approaching disease states for which many possible treatment options exist.

Posted in ECCO News, SciCom, Committee News, Volume 16, Issue 4