Crohn’s disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can affect any part of the digestive system. It affects 6.8 million people worldwide. Despite significant advances in therapy, 40% of patients with Crohn’s disease will develop fibrosis and intestinal obstruction, and the vast majority will eventually require surgery. Currently, there are no tests to track fibrosis and its activity in CD. 

With funding from Johnson & Johnson, and in collaboration with the Edinburgh Cardiovascular Imaging Group (led by Professor David E. Newby), Rahul and his team will investigate the role of PET-based imaging to track fibrosis activity in Crohn's disease for the first time.

They will use the newly installed full body PET/CT scanner in Edinburgh to gain insights into the disease processes that cause intestinal fibrosis (£12 million UKRI investment).

Rahul said, "We currently have no treatments that can treat fibrosis, a debilitating complication of Crohn's disease. We are excited to be working with Johnson & Johnson to improve our understanding of fibrosis in Crohn's disease and inform the development of future drug therapies."

Prof. David E. Newby said, “This exciting collaborative project between the University of Edinburgh and Johnson and Johnson is a major initiative which the National PET Imaging Platform was specifically designed to facilitate. We are delighted to be using the power of the Scottish total-body PET facility to provide major new insights into the pathophysiology and treatment of Crohn’s disease.