Barrett'S Esophagus Clinical Trials 2023
Browse 22 Barretts Esophagus Medical Studies Across 41 Cities
102 Barretts Esophagus Clinics
What Are Barrett's Esophagus Clinical Trials?
It is a condition that occurs when the food tube's (swallowing tube) pink lining connecting the mouth to the Esophagus gets damaged due to acid reflux. Barrett's Esophagus causes the tube lining to thicken and turn red. Symptoms of Barrett's Esophagus are acid regurgitation, sudden weight loss, difficulty swallowing, sore throat, and heartburn. An individual can be at risk to Barrett's Esophagus if they experience heartburn twice or more weekly. Heartburn is the biggest red flag.
Barrett's Esophagus clinical trials are designed to develop a comprehensive understanding of the disease and to find effective methods to diagnose and treat it.
Why Is Barrett's Esophagus Being Studied Through Clinical Trials?
Barrett's Esophagus affects 3.3 million people in the US. It is approximately 1.6 percent of the general population. Barrett's Esophagus is a GERD complication. It occurs in 10 to 20 percent of people with chronic symptoms of GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease).
Furthermore, Barrett's Esophagus increases the risk of developing esophageal adenocarcinoma. It is rare cancer. Though the risk is small, getting regular checkups with extensive esophagus biopsies is vital to check for dysplasia (precancerous cells).
Barrett's Esophagus clinical trials are essential to determine the exact cause. These clinical trials provide crucial insights to researchers much needed to find the best treatments to prevent, treat and cure the problem.
What Are the Types of Treatments Available for Barrett's Esophagus?
The treatment for Barrett's Esophagus primarily depends on the growth of abnormal cells in the patient's Esophagus and their overall health. For example, if there is no dysplasia, then treatment for GERD is suitable for Barrett's Esophagus patients. This includes medication and some lifestyle changes. In some cases, endoscopy may be recommended for tightening the lower esophageal.
Similarly, for low and high-grade dysplasia, preferred treatments are:
- Endoscopic resection
- Radiofrequency ablation
What Are Some Recent Breakthrough Clinical Trials for Barrett's Esophagus?
2013: Managing Barrett's Esophagus with radiofrequency ablation – The study was conducted to determine the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation in patients with Barrett's Esophagus. It was concluded that the RFA with the HALO system provides the best treatment for successfully eradicating Barrett's Esophagus without or with dysplasia with efficacy, durability, and safety profiles.
2019: Novel Barrett's esophagus screening assays based on swallowable devices: The study identifies the need for better and cost-effective screen tests compared to endoscopy, which is expensive and inconvenient. It shows that swallowable balloons and immunohistochemistry-based assays are promising for BE detection.
Who Are Some of the Key Opinion Leaders/Researchers/Institutions Conducting Barrett's Esophagus Clinical Trial Research?
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases is focused on conducting and supporting research to gain new knowledge and improve health. The research studies are centered around diet, nutrition, and digestive diseases.
American College of Gastroenterology
The organization is one of the top funding sources for educational programs and clinical research related to gastroenterology. These research studies help improve patient care and strengthen practitioner capabilities.
About The Author
Michael Gill - B. Sc.
First Published: October 13th, 2021
Last Reviewed: August 7th, 2023