UC San Diego

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of disorders characterized by persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Accurate monitoring of disease activity is essential for achieving and maintaining long-term remission. Traditionally, diagnostics and monitoring of IBD has been conducted through the collection of biopsy samples from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which presents certain challenges and limitations. An emerging approach that has garnered attention in recent years is the leveraging of patient stool to identify markers of IBD activity. Stool analysis offers several advantages, including convenience, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness, making it an increasingly valuable tool in monitoring disease activity in IBD. However, to date, little information on whether stool and biopsies reveal similar information about disease state and whether one may be better suited for monitoring disease.In this study, we aim to shed light on this problem by profiling proteomic data generated by paired stool and biopsies from 45 IBD patients. Our primary objective is to provide evidence of stools utility for the monitoring of disease severity compared to biopsies and, long term, the selection of better, more accurate, stool-based biomarkers. By conducting comprehensive proteomic analyses on both stool and biopsy samples, we aim to uncover meaningful insights and establish better disease signatures and to shed light on more effective approaches for assessing and monitoring IBD.