Mersey Colorectal Research Group Day

Posted on: 19 September 2024 by Matthew Fok in September 2024 posts

Matthew Fok is a PhD student and general surgical registrar in colorectal surgery. He recently co-organised the second Mersey Colorectal Group meeting. Here he gives us the highlights of the day.

This summer Liverpool’s Spine building hosted the second Mersey Colorectal Research Group meeting. The event drew delegates from all areas of research, including students, clinicians from multiple specialties, surgeons, scientists, research nurses, and allied health professionals.

Opening the day, Mr Ahsan Javed, Senior Lecturer in Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine (MCCM) and colorectal surgeon at Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (LUHFT), welcomed attendees to an exciting day of talks and panel discussions from Liverpool and further afield.

The morning session focused on Liverpool’s cancer research strategy, from discovery science to clinical research. Attendees heard from Professor Michael Schmid, who spoke about the strategy for the Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine (MCCM) and gave insights into his exciting work in pancreatic and colorectal cancer.

Professor Tim Maughan (MCCM) showed us insights into the biology of colorectal cancer and its therapeutic application and how Liverpool can become a real leader in colorectal research. Professor Ainhoa Mielgo (MCCM) shared her group’s work on the tumour microenvironment and some exciting areas of development in colorectal liver metastasis. Mr Rob Jones, a consultant liver surgeon (LUHFT) and the chief investigator for the Biontech BNT-122-01 mRNA cancer vaccine trial, showed us why Liverpool and the North West is the perfect place to run similar trials, and how this trial developed nationally from work piloted here. Mr Ahsan Javed concluded the session by highlighting how LUHFT colorectal department has increased its research activity and output, and developed collaborations with other hospital teams, national clinical trials, University of Liverpool academics and internationally renowned research groups.

Highlighting best practice

The second session featured talks from cancer research leads from well-established and successful groups including:

• Professor Terry Jones, Director of Liverpool Head and Neck Centre
• Professor Sarah Coupland, Liverpool Ocular Oncology Research Group
• Professor Robert Sutton, Liverpool Pancreatic group
• Professor Dharani Hapangama, Gynaecology research.

Each gave a fascinating talk about how they have set up or evolved research in their area in Liverpool. Key messages included the importance of having an enthusiastic multidisciplinary team with key leaders, making strong collaborations both locally, nationally, and internationally, and the development and investment of people from the most junior to the most senior level.

National expertise

Following a networking lunch, the afternoon session featured invited speakers from outside of Liverpool. Professor Miguel Mascarenhas, a gastroenterologist from Porto, delivered a fascinating talk about how he is using artificial intelligence in endoscopy to help with detection of lesions. Professor Campbell Roxburgh gave us insights into the PRIME-RT trial and how Glasgow is set up for colorectal trial with the ability for sequential biopsies during a patient’s treatment for translational and discovery research. Professor Simon Buczacki, Oxford University, showed us how his group are using genetically engineered colonic organoids in the lab to study the evolution of colorectal cancer, and how the labs are situated right next door to the theatres to provide fresh samples.

The final session of the day featured Liverpool colorectal researchers. Professor Chris Probert, gastroenterologist, gave us an overview of his research identifying volatile organic compounds in the detection cancer and treated us to some novel results. Professor Shakil Ahmed (LUHFT) showed us how surgery has been at the forefront of innovation with new technology and techniques rapidly developing in short time. Mr Dale Vimalachandran, consultant surgeon and Reader in colorectal surgery, finished the session with the Mersey Colorectal Research Group strategy, which is built on strong foundations and fast expanding with new researchers funded through hospital trusts across Merseyside.

Overall, the day was a resounding success - delegates are already asking about next year’s event! Many thanks to our event sponsors - Research England and Wellcome. We look forward to welcoming you to next year’s event.