Centres & Units

The Centre aims:

• To conduct Phase II to IV self-initiated or multi-centered clinical trials to investigate the anti-viral efficacy of new anti-viral treatment of chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis C.
• To perform basic laboratory research to study the virological markers that can improve treatment outcomes of chronic hepatitis B.

Endoscopy training and education unit provides high quality Endoscopy Attachment Programme for China and overseas fellows. Successful applicants will engage in various endoscopic procedures according to their level of experience and learning objectives.

Our team is a pioneer of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) research in Asia-Pacific. We established the first epidemiologic study of IBD across 15 countries in Asia-Pacific, and the Hong Kong IBD Registry to determine disease burden, and environmental risk factors of IBD. Our work enhanced current understanding on the rising IBD incidence in Asia. We also focus on research related to FMT in various human diseases, including IBD, obesity, graft versus host disease, multidrug resistant infections, and clostridium difficile infections. We have led the “Frontiers in Fecal Microbiota Transplant”, with experts from 7 countries in Asia-Pacific to define future directions of FMT. We have established the Asia-Pacific FMT registry to aid the development of microbiota therapy. We are the only provider of FMT service to the Hospital Authority in Hong Kong. Recently, we filed patents relating to FMT and is working with the Innovations and Technology Commission to develop microbial biotechnology.

A state-of-the-art, leading international centre for endoscopy research and training. Our Endoscopy Centre pioneered endoscopic techniques that changes clinical practices such as endoscopic drainage of bile ducts in cholangitis and endoscopic hemostasis to upper gastrointestinal bleeding. All these novel techniques altered clinical practices which translated into benefits to patients.

The principal investigating centre for numerous endoscopy-based trials. We published a number of landmark studies that have radically changed the standard of care for bleeding peptic ulcers.

An important partner to endoscopy industry in education, training and research; Olympus fellowship in advanced therapeutic endoscopy trains new generation endoscopists from China and other Asia Pacific regions including Vietnam and Philippines annually.

The annual International Workshop on Therapeutic Endoscopy is a significant educational event in the calendar for endoscopists worldwide. It has an attendance of over 400 from all over the world.

Our endoscopists, in collaboration with those from other international centres held regular workshops in less developed areas in China and other parts of Asia promoting and teaching therapeutic endoscopy skills.

A hub for testing prototypes of endoscopy and new accessories from international industry partners, e.g., Olympus (Japan), Boston Scientific (USA).

Invention and development of new technology in endoscopy, e.g., The Eagle Claw IV® (The Apollo Project), remote esophageal pH sensor

The S.H. Ho Center for Digestive Health is an extension of endoscopy service from the CUHK-PWH Medical Center. Established by donation from the S.H. Ho Foundation, the center is equipped with state-of-art high definition endoscopy systems and aims:

• To provide high quality diagnostic and simple therapeutic endoscopy service
• To provide education of colorectal cancer screening for primary care physicians and nurses (e.g., flexible sigmoidoscopy, colon capsule endoscopy, etc)
• To conduct research and promote health education in colorectal cancer
• To provide advanced endoscopy training for gastroenterologists

Service Scope

We aim to provide high quality fee-paying endoscopy service together with other innovative diagnostic investigations in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Most patients can be discharged home on the same day of the procedure.

• Upper GI Endoscopy (Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy / OGD) for evaluation of esophagus, stomach and duodenum
• Lower GI Endoscopy (Colonoscopy) for evaluation of colon
• Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) +/- Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) for evaluation of pancreas, bile duct, and benign / malignant tumors in GI tract
• Colon Capsule Endoscopy for colon cancer screening
• Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) for colon cancer screening
• Small Bowel Capsule Endoscopy for evaluation of small intestine
• 24-hour pH Impedance Study for investigation of esophageal reflux disease
• High Resolution Esophageal Impedance Manometry Study (HRIM) for investigation of esophageal motility disorder

The laboratory has embarked on a number of new studies focusing on three important key areas, including epidemiology of colorectal tumours in Asia and prevention, epidemiology of gastric cancer in Asia and prevention, as well as genomic study of hepatitis B virus infection and hepatocellular carcinoma. In collaboration with major universities in the Mainland, the group has been investigating new approaches in treating and managing a number of digestive diseases.

We also have strong track record in publishing basic and translational research on GI cancer prevention and early diagnosis, which are supported by various local funding agencies. The research laboratory has also established on-going collaboration on GI cancer with both leading national and international research institutions, including Sun Yat Sen University, Fourth Military Medical University, National University of Taiwan, Baylor College of Medicine, and Technical University of Munich.

The Digestive Disease Research Laboratory is an integrated research laboratory by gastroenterologists, surgeons and basic scientists. It is located in the Sir YK Pao Cancer Center and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences of Prince of Wales Hospital.

Our research interests are:

• Molecular pathogenesis of gastrointestinal cancer
• Microbiome and cancer
• Early detection of gastrointestinal cancer
• H. pylori and gastric carcinogenesis
• Hepatitis B virus and hepatocellular carcinoma
• Fatty liver disease, liver fibrosis and liver cancer
• Chemoprevention of gastrointestinal cancer