| Interventions |
There are five sub-studies in this project to investigate the different explanations for differences in the Raman signal seen in the blood of people with/without polyps/colorectal cancer. Sub-study A (Metabolomics and genomics) - existing serum samples and tissue samples from patients recruited to the existing study Raman spectroscopy and colorectal cancer (IRAS 146942 REC reference 14/WA/0028). Serum samples will be analysed with mass spectrometry and RNA extracted from tissue samples for analysis. Sub-study B (Gut microbiome) - participants with a known diagnosis of bowel cancer or significant bowel disease undergoing bowel resection and healthy controls will be recruited. For participants who will be undergoing bowel resection, blood and faecal samples will be collected at two-time points - at enrolment or prior to surgery and at their first follow-up appointment 6-8 weeks after surgery. All sampling can be done during clinic or routine hospital visits where possible. In addition, a small portion of bowel tissue will be collected from the section of the bowel that has been removed. For controls, only a single blood and faecal sample is required at the time of recruitment. Raman spectroscopy will be carried out on blood, faecal, tissue and cell media. Mass spectrometry will be carried out on blood, faecal samples and cell media. Additional tests include 16s rRNA sequencing for faecal samples (for profiling of bacteria) as well as an inflammatory panel and genomic tests on cells. There is the potential to then use organoids derived from patient tissue to study the effects of gut bacteria using co-culture techniques. Sub-study C (Fasting state) - All participants (25 cancer, 25 control) will be required to undergo an oral glucose tolerance test. They will be req |