Clinical Research Directory

Reducing Neoplasia Recurrence After Non-thermal Endoscopic Resection of Large Colorectal Polyps

The goal of this clinical trial is to clarify the role of adjuvant thermal ablation for non-thermal endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) of large (≥20mm) flat colorectal polyps (so-called laterally spreading lesions \[LSLs\]). The hypothesis is that adding adjuvant thermal ablation to non-thermal EMR (vs no ablation) will result in lower lesion recurrence rates at 6-month follow-up, and non-inferior adverse events (AE) rates 14 days post EMR. For participants with planned EMR, endoscopists will perform non-thermal EMRs as per standard of care and: * adjuvant thermal ablation will either not be performed (control group), or will be applied to the base and outside margins of the resection site (experimental group); * then, all patients will be contacted 14-44 days after EMR, to verbally ascertain the occurrence of AEs; * then, all patients will undergo a first follow-up colonoscopy at 6 months after initial conoloscopy to assess lesion recurrence; * finally, all patients will undergo a second and final colonoscopy 18 months after EMR.

Randomized Trial of Cold EMR Compared to Hybrid Cold EMR.

The goal of this randomized clinical trial is to learn if a combination of hot and cold EMR technique is associated with a lower risk of polyp recurrence without increasing the risk of complication when removing large polyps. Participants will undergo EMR and return for a follow-up endoscopy in 3-6 months to check for polyp recurrence.

Prevention of Post-Polypectomy Colorectal Bleeding by Clips in Patients on Anticoagulants

This observational study aims to retrospectively determine if clips can prevent post-polypectomy bleeding in adults who have received restarted anticoagulants after a colorectal polypectomy, using a large, single-center patient registry. The main question it aims to answer is: Can clips prevent post-polypectomy bleeding in adults who have received restarted anticoagulants after a colorectal polypectomy? Researchers will compare adults who received preventive clipping after a polypectomy with those who did not, regarding colorectal bleeding after receiving restarted anticoagulants. Participants have undergone a colorectal polypectomy and received restarted anticoagulants (acetylsalicylic acid excluded) after the procedure.

Advanced Endo-therapeutic Procedure : Registry-based Observational Study

Advanced therapeutic endoscopy procedures are of increasing importance to provide minimal invasive treatment for GI diseases. The Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal as tertiary university center is dedicated to increase the availability of therapeutic endoscopy procedures for our population in Montreal and Quebec. Advanced endotherapeutic endoscopy can replace surgery for treatment of benign and malign GI diseases and the aim of this registry-based study is to improve quality related to advanced endotherapeutic endoscopy, as it will provide quantitative means to assess advanced endotherapeutic practice and may identify practices of low quality (possible intervention) or high quality (desired).

Video/Image Library of Endoscopy Procedures for the Development of AI-empowered Endoscopy Quality Reporting and Educational Modules

The goal of this observational study is to establish a video/image library dataset of complete endoscopy or partial colonoscopy procedures for patients with rectal cancer or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). With this video/image library, the aims are: * to develop and validate novel AI-empowered solutions to automatically detect and report endoscopy quality metrics * to develop automated endoscopy reporting solutions, auditing, and educational tools for residents and fellows to enhance their endoscopy skills. The hypothesis is that a heterogeneous video/image library will provide: * comprehensive and robust source material to develop AI models * real-time quality feedback at the end of an endoscopy procedure.

Colonic Polypectomy in Cirrhotic Patients With Portal Hypertension

The goal of this retrospective cohort study is to evaluate the risk of post-polypectomy bleeding following the colonoscopy resection of lower gastrointestinal polyps in patients with liver cirrhosis with portal hypertension. The main question it aims to answer is: Does the risk of bleeding increase after colonoscopy polypectomy in patients with liver cirrhosis with portal hypertension? Participants will be subjected to polypectomy of any colonic polyps.

Complete Closure After Endoscopic Mucosal Resection of Large Non-Pedunculated Colorectal Polyps

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare adverse even rates after EMR for large (≥20mm) flat colorectal polyps (so-called laterally spreading lesions, LSLs) when performing complete or no defect closure. It will also evaluate lesion recurrence after EMR for large colorectal LSLs. The hypothesis is that performing complete defect closure following EMR of large colorectal LSLs will result in lower rates of adverse events compared to cases where no defect closure is performed. For participants with planned EMR, endoscopists will perform EMRs as per standard of care and: * prophylactic defect closure will either not be performed (control group), or will be performed (experimental group); * then, patients will be called between 14 and 44 days after EMR to assess for possible adverse events, and electronic medical files will be verified for emergency room visits and healthcare received for an adverse event; * finally, patients will undergo follow-up colonoscopy 6 months and 18 months after randomization.

Reducing Neoplasia Recurrence After Endoscopic Resection of Large Colorectal Polyps

Large (≥20mm) colorectal polyps often harbor areas of advanced neoplasia, making them immediate colorectal cancer (CRC) precursors. Such polyps have to be completely removed to prevent CRC and to avoid surgery and/or adjuvant therapy. The laterally spreading lesions (LSLs) are removed via endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). However, recurrence is common. New techniques for LSL resection (hybrid argon plasma coagulation (h-APC) margin and base ablation) have shown a reduction in recurrence following the interventions. We hypothesize that performing hybrid argon plasma coagulation (h-APC) margin and base ablation during EMR of large (≥20mm) colorectal LSLs will lead to lower rates of lesion recurrence compared to Snare tip soft coagulation (STSC) margin ablation.

Artificial Intelligence Development for Colorectal Polyp Diagnosis

Accurate classification of growths in the large bowel (polyps) identified during colonoscopy is imperative to inform the risk of colorectal cancer. Reliable identification of the cancer risk of individual polyps helps determine the best treatment option for the detected polyp and determine the appropriate interval requirements for future colonoscopy to check the site of removal and for further polyps elsewhere in the bowel. Current advanced endoscopic imaging techniques require specialist skills and expertise with an associated long learning curve and increased procedure time. It is for these reasons that despite being introduced in clinical practice, uptake of such techniques is limited and current methods of polyp risk stratification during colonoscopy without Artificial intelligence (AI) is suboptimal. Approximately 25% of bowel polyps that are removed by major surgery are analysed and later proved to be non-cancerous polyps that could have been removed via endoscopy thus avoiding anatomy altering surgery and the associated risks. With accurate polyp diagnosis and risk stratification in real time with AI, such polyps could have been removed non-surgically (endoscopically). Current Computer Assisted Diagnosis (CADx, a form of AI) platforms only differentiate between cancerous and non cancerous polyps which is of limited value in providing a personalised patient risk for colorectal cancer. The development of a multi-class algorithm is of greater complexity than a binary classification and requires larger training and validation datasets. A robust CADx algorithm should also involve global trainable data to minimise the introduction of bias. It is for these reasons that this is a planned international multicentre study. The Investigators aim to develop a novel AI five class pathology prediction risk prediction tool that provides reliable information to identify cancer risk independent of the endoscopists skill. These 5 categories are chosen because treatment options differ according to the polyp type and future check colonoscopy guidelines require these categories

Molecular and Histological Characteristics of Serrated Lesions of the Colon

Different subtypes of serrated lesions have been recently described. Among them, both sessile serrated polyp/adenoma (SSP/A) and traditional serrated adenoma (TSA) could have malignant potential through the serrated pathway or CIMP. These lesions, as a potential source of interval cancer, should also be considered in colorectal cancer (CRC) population-based screening programs. It is believed that this new described pathway could be responsible for up to 30% of all CRC. Unlike the traditional adenoma, serrated lesions are difficult to diagnose because of their particular endoscopic appearance and their still unclear histological criteria. Furthermore, they have specific molecular changes and, through them, they could evolve into CRC faster than the adenoma. The real prevalence of the serrated lesions and their specific risk for developing new synchronous/metachronous lesions, or even malignancy, remains unknown. For all these reasons, we don't know if these patients could constitute a different CRC-risk group and if specific recommendations are needed during their follow-up. This is a prospective longitudinal study developed within the framework of the CRC-screening program in the Valencian Community (Spain). We expect to include a total of 700 individuals who will be followed during 10 years. In our study, we will collect epidemiologic variables related to the patient, variables related to all the polyps, and mutational (BRAF, KRAS, MSI), and CpG-island methylation status of serrated lesions. Strict endoscopic and histological criteria will be applied for the diagnosis of serrated lesions. All lesions detected at the index colonoscopy and during follow-up will be evaluated. The purpose of this study is to correlate epidemiologic data, histological characteristics and the molecular profile of the serrated lesions with findings during follow-up, in order to define stratified groups according to their risk of developing new lesions or CRC in the future.