ECCO 2020: A preview of the scientific programme

We’ve taken a look at some of the most compelling abstracts, posters and plenaries from the ECCO 2020 programme and you can read our review below.

With a little under a month to go until ECCO 2020, anticipation is growing for the 15th Congress as experts from around the globe prepare for the world’s largest IBD conference. Between 12-15 February, ECCO will return to Vienna, and with an expected 8,000+ attendees from over 87 different countries, this year’s key message ‘Think global not local’ could not be more appropriate.

Following a theme of ‘IBD: Beyond 2020’, this year’s scientific programme looks set to be packed with exciting futuristic content. Pre-emptive highlights include the growing role of big data and deep learning, as well as multi-omics in IBD management. Given the heterogeneity of IBD, these tools will provide valuable insights that will help experts cultivate a better understanding of the numerous distinct IBD phenotypes and continue the journey towards personalised medicine and better patient care.

Unsurprisingly, the evolving role of anti-TNFs, the first biologics to be approved for use in the treatment of IBD, will also feature heavily. This will include one of ECCO’s renowned tandem talks to kick-off the ‘Hot debates in IBD’ session. Here, Dr Tariq Ahmad and Professor James Lindsay will discuss whether there is still a place for anti-TNF therapy in 2020. During this session, attendees will also be given a first look at the results of the SERENE-UC maintenance study, one of a number of trials to re-examine the efficacy of higher dose anti-TNF therapy.

As experts work-tirelessly towards IBD treatment optimisation, there is a constant need to re-visit current practice and assess where improvements can be made. At this year’s conference, speakers will take to task various aspects of IBD management which have, until recently, been considered indispensable. This will include a second tandem talk given by Professor Edouard Louis and Dr Charlotte Hedin, exploring whether or not endoscopy is still necessary to monitor IBD. 

There is a well-established association between intestinal dysbiosis and IBD and therefore a growing interest in the study of the microbiome to inform the treatment of IBD. This will be reflected in numerous lectures exploring this topic, with a microbiome consortium presented by Professor Jeroen Raes. Similarly, the role of genetics in IBD is set to be at the forefront of discussion, with talks from the likes of Professor Séverine Vermeire.

As ever, reducing the burden of IBD is also a huge priority and will be discussed extensively at ECCO 2020 with a dedicated session chaired by Dr Nik John Sheng Ding and Dr Javier P. Gilbert. Lectures are expected to cover cutting-edge research into reducing the various risks associated with IBD, including neoplastic complications of therapy and risk of infections.

In addition to the exciting scientific programme, an impressive range of activities will be available to support the learning of attendees. These will be tailored to meet the specific needs of different interest groups including young gastroenterologists, surgeons, paediatricians, pathologists, IBD nurses and allied health professionals and scientists.