We combine basic science with clinical knowledge to optimize the use of current treatment options in an effort to build an algorithm for personalized treatment and search for new therapeutic targets
Obesity
Obesity is a chronic disease with many facets representing significant health challenges on a global scale. It arises from a complex of inherited risk (genetic predisposition), environmental factors, and behavioral patterns.
Advanced Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease – ASIB
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic diseases of unknown cause which have major health consequences. The ASIB study is a translation research project aiming to investigate underlying causes leading to the disease. Moreover we aim to develop new tests (measurable biomarkers) that can be used as an aid to guide decisions when treating the disease.
Gut dysbiosis and effects of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT)
The human gut is inhabited by a multitude of microorganisms which in a healthy flora consists of approximately 1000 different types of bacteria, fungi and viruses. The gut flora helps us digest and can keep disease-causing bacteria from settling in the gut. It becomes increasingly clear that the gut flora can be involved in diseases in other parts of the body as well. We aim to investigate the connections between gut flora and different diseases where unbalanced gut flora (dysbiosis) may be part of the cause of, or may maintain the disease.
Neuroendocrine tumors (NET)
Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) is a rare type of cancer originating from neuroendocrine cells. Main tumor localizations are the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas and lungs. NETs are often indolent tumors with a low symptom burden. Consequently, NET is often diagnosed at a stage where the diseasehas spread to other organs. Surgery is the only potential curative treatment in NET, but for non-curative symptom relief, several treatment options exist. Many patients have a relatively good prognosis despite of disease spread to other organs. Neuroendocrine tumors may secrete a variety of hormones, amongst others: serotonin.
NorTrials Gastrointestinal
The NorTrials centre for gastrointestinal diseases is located at the University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø.
Introduction
Digestion is essential for all bodily functions, as all nutrients and energy are processed and absorbed in the intestinal system. Diseases of the digestive system can affect the gastrointestinal tract and related organs, such as the pancreas, liver, and bile ducts. The most common conditions include functional disorders, inflammatory diseases, infections, and cancer.
Recruitment strategies for clinical trials may vary depending on the primary point of care and whether the condition is common or rare. In many cases, good collaboration with referring doctors and other hospitals is essential.
Organization
NorTrials Gastrointestinal is located at the University Hospital of North Norway (UNN) under the Medical Division, Section for Digestive Diseases. Our premises are located at the Gastro Lab, where we have easy access to necessary equipment and procedures, such as endoscopy, ultrasound and laboratory facilities.
Patient Population
UNN Tromsø serves as a local hospital for approximately 130,000 people and as a university hospital for around 490,000 in Northern Norway. Through its university function and professional networks, we maintain close collaboration with local hospitals across Northern Norway and have strong connections with both university hospitals and local hospitals throughout the country.
Network
We have research collaborations with research environments at all university hospitals in Norway and are actively working to expand the network to include all local hospitals across the country. We collaborate with patient organisations such as the Coeliac Society and the Gastrointestinal Association for recruitment to both our own trials and commissioned trials. Internationally, we have partnerships with research groups in England, Denmark, and Sweden in connection with academic trials.
Trial Experience and Delivery
At the Research Group for Gastroenterology and Nutrition (GNU), we have spent many years researching disease mechanisms and working on tailored treatments, particularly in the areas of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), obesity, neuroendocrine tumours, and the stomach ulcer bacterium. We have also conducted experimental treatment trials involving faecal microbiota transplantation for various conditions.
Since the launch of NorTrials Gastrointestinal in September 2022, we have increased our activity with industry sponsored trials, where new medications are being tested for the pharmaceutical industry, recruiting participants with various diagnoses such as inflammatory bowel disease, eosinophilic oesophagitis, and coeliac disease. These trials range from phase II to phase IV.
Read more: www.nortrials.no
