Thiopurines in Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Guy’s and St Thomas’

 

Background & Rationale for this research

 

Approximately one third of people who take azathioprine are unable to tolerate it and of those who can tolerate it, another third will not respond to it. The pathway involved in metabolising these drugs is extremely complicated and has many side effects which can stop some people from being able to tolerate these drugs. 

 

Guy’s and St Thomas’ has already shown that by manipulating the pathway involved in metabolising these drugs (by adding in another drug) response rates are improved.

 

In addition, using similar techniques, tolerance to side effects were improved in people who were unable to accept the drug so that they can in fact take it.

 

Scope of this research

 

Guy’s & St. Thomas’ will investigate a further drug which has the potential to be even more effective in manipulating the pathway so that even more people can be successfully treated with azathioprine or mercaptopurine.

 

In addition, they will identify how other drugs used to treat Crohn’s disease, such as infliximab and Pentasa, interact with azathioprine. This may allow a greater understanding of how to use these drugs both more effectively and more safely.

 

Group psychotherapy on young adults with Crohn's, St Mark’s

 

Background and rationale for this research

 

Crohn’s disease has a large impact on someone’s life and they have to adjust many parts of their daily living.  This is potentially made more difficult for young adults who are also going through puberty, starting to have relationships etc. 

 

Scope of this research

 

This project will give young adults with Crohn’s the opportunity to explore the impact of their disease on their lives and will examine the potential positive influence that group psychotherapy can have.