Clinical Research Directory

Multicenter Prospective Cohort on Esophageal Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection

In France in 2018, there were an estimated 2,074 new cases of esophageal adenocarcinoma and 3,224 cases of squamous cell carcinoma. The estimated deaths from esophageal cancer were 3,725, with a standardized 5-year net survival rate of 20% for cases diagnosed between 2010 and 2015, mainly due to late diagnosis. Surgery was historically the standard treatment for localized disease but carries significant morbidity. Over the past decade, endoscopic treatments, particularly endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), have become the reference approach for superficial esophageal cancers. After endoscopic resection, histological analysis allows classification of recurrence risk into very low, low, and high categories. Predicting lymph node or distant recurrence is complex, depending on factors such as depth of wall infiltration, lymphovascular invasion, and tumor differentiation. The frequent combination of unfavorable histological features may have led to an overestimation of lymph node involvement risk in T1b cancers. ESD is widely performed in France, with over 1,600 procedures reported in 2023 for esophageal and gastric lesions, demonstrating the feasibility of a large observational study. This multicenter French cohort will evaluate technical, oncological, and organizational outcomes of esophageal ESD, including overall survival, recurrence-free survival, and management of residual Barrett's esophagus. It will also identify predictive factors for treatment success, recurrence, and complications, providing real-world evidence to guide patient management.

Assessment of a Minimally Invasive Collection Device for Molecular Analysis of Esophageal Samples

This clinical trial evaluates the use of cytosponge, a minimally invasive collection device, for the detection of Barrett's esophagus (BE) in patients undergoing endoscopy. Non-endoscopic swallowable encapsulate sponge cell collection devices combined with markers for BE/esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) detection are a guideline-endorsed alternative to endoscopy for BE screening. The Oncoguard registered trademark Esophagus test (OGE) test uses esophageal cytology specimens collected with a minimally invasive, non-endoscopic, encapsulated sponge sampling device to identify BE/EAC biomarkers that indicate whether a patient should undergo diagnostic endoscopy. The OGE test is a simple and cost effective screening method that may lower barriers to widespread adoption of BE screening in at risk patients, resulting in increased and earlier detection of BE/EAC.

Surveillance vs. Endoscopic Therapy for Barrett's Esophagus With Low-grade Dysplasia

The purpose of this study is to learn the best approach to treating patients with known or suspected Barrett's esophagus by comparing endoscopic surveillance to endoscopic eradication therapy. To diagnose and manage Barrett's esophagus and low-grade dysplasia, doctors commonly use procedures called endoscopic surveillance and endoscopic eradication therapy. Endoscopic surveillance is a type of procedure where a physician will run a tube with a light and a camera on the end of it down the patients throat and remove a small piece of tissue. The piece of tissue, called a biopsy, is about the size of the tip of a ball-point pen and is checked for abnormal cells and cancer cells. Endoscopic eradication therapy is a kind of surgery which is performed to destroy the precancerous cells at the bottom of the esophagus, so that healthy cells can grow in their place. It involves procedures to either remove precancerous tissue or burn it. These procedures can have side effects, so it is not certain whether risking those side effects is worth the benefit people get from the treatments. While both of these procedures are widely accepted approaches to managing the condition, there is not enough research to show if one is better than the other. Barrett's esophagus and low-grade dysplasia does not always worsen to high-grade dysplasia and/or cancer. In fact, it usually does not. So, if a patient's dysplasia is not worsening, doctors would rather not put patients at risk unnecessarily. On the other hand, endoscopic eradication therapy could possibly prevent the worsening of low-grade dysplasia into high-grade dysplasia or cancer (esophageal adenocarcinoma) in some patients. Researchers believe that the results of this study will help doctors choose the safest and most effective procedure for their patients with Barrett's esophagus and low-grade dysplasia. This is a multicenter study involving several academic, community and private hospitals around the United States. Up to 530 participants will be randomized. This study will also include a prospective observational cohort study of up to 150 Barrett's esophagus and low grade dysplasia patients who decline randomization in the randomized control trial but undergo endoscopic surveillance (Cohort 1) or endoscopic eradication therapy (Cohort 2), and are willing to provide longitudinal observational data.

Evaluation of Tethered Capsule Endomicroscopy as a Screening Tool for Barrett's Esophagus in the Primary Care Setting

The investigators will conduct a large study in the primary care clinic to determine the feasibility of using tethered capsule endomicroscopy as a screening method for Barrett's esophagus (BE) in the primary care practice environment. The investigators are also determining the prevalence of Barrett's esophagus in a primary care practice cohort at MGH.

Natural History of Barrett's Esophagus Using Tethered Capsule Endomicroscopy

The goal of this research is to determine the natural history of Barrett's esophagus (BE) using tethered capsule endomicroscopy (TCE) in participants undergoing surveillance endoscopy.

Seattle Biopsy Protocol Versus Wide-Area Transepithelial Sampling in Patients With Barrett's Esophagus Undergoing Surveillance

The purpose of this research study is to learn about the best approach to sample patients with known or suspected Barrett's esophagus (BE) by comparing the standard Seattle biopsy protocol to sampling using wide area transepithelial sampling (WATS3D). Barrett's esophagus is a common condition that is used to spot patients at increased risk of developing a type of cancer in the esophagus (swallowing tube) called esophageal adenocarcinoma. The 5-year survival rate is as low as 18% for patients who get esophageal adenocarcinoma, but the rate may be improved if the cancer is caught in its early stages. Barrett's esophagus can lead to dysplasia, or precancerous changes, which occurs when cells look abnormal but have not developed into cancer. If the abnormal cells increase from being slightly abnormal (low-grade dysplasia), to being very abnormal (high-grade dysplasia), the risk of developing cancer (esophageal adenocarcinoma) goes up. Therefore, catching dysplasia early is very important to prevent cancer. Endoscopic surveillance is a type of procedure where endoscopists run a tube with a light and a camera on the end of it down a patients throat and remove a small piece of tissue. The piece of tissue, called a biopsy, is about the size of the tip of a ball-point pen and is checked for abnormal cells and cancer cells. Patients are being asked to be in this research study because they have been diagnosed with BE or suspected to have BE, and will need an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). Patients with BE undergo sampling using the Seattle biopsy protocol during which samples are obtained from the BE in a four quadrant fashion every 2 cm along with target biopsies from any abnormal areas within the BE. Another sampling approach is WATS3D which utilizes brushings from the BE. While both of these procedures are widely accepted approaches to sampling patients with BE during endoscopy, there is not enough research to show if one is better than the other. Participants in this study will undergo sampling of the BE using both approaches (Seattle biopsy protocol and WATS-3D); the order of the techniques will be randomized. Up to 2700 participants will take part in this research. This is a multicenter study involving several academic, community and private hospitals around the country.

EMR Versus ESD for Barrett's Neoplasia

Rationale: The optimal technique for removal of visible dysplastic lesions in Barrett's esophagus remains controversial. Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is safe, effective, easy to apply, and has been the most widely used technique since 2008. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a more controlled dissection method with potential improved efficacy, but at the cost of higher technical complexity. Objective: The investigators aim to compare EMR and ESD for removal of visible lesions in Barrett's esophagus. Study design: Randomized clinical trial Study population: Patients with Barrett's esophagus and a visible lesion with dysplasia and/or early cancer. Suspicion for submucosal invasion is an exclusion criterion. Intervention: Patients are randomized to receive either EMR or ESD, with follow-up and no ablation during 12 months after the resection. Main study endpoint: Primary endpoint is the proportion of patients with no evidence of residual or local recurrent neoplasia during 12 months follow-up after baseline.