80 Participants Needed

Diagnostic Methods for Achalasia

Recruiting at 1 trial location
AJ
Overseen ByAnand Jain, MD
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Phase 4
Sponsor: Emory University
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)
Prior Safety DataThis treatment has passed at least one previous human trial
Approved in 2 JurisdictionsThis treatment is already approved in other countries

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

Is the muscle layer biopsy during per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) safe for humans?

The research indicates that muscle layer biopsy during per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is evaluated for safety and efficacy, suggesting it is generally considered safe for humans.12345

How is the esophageal muscle biopsy treatment for achalasia different from other treatments?

The esophageal muscle biopsy treatment for achalasia is unique because it involves directly sampling the muscle layer of the esophagus, which is not typically done in routine procedures. This approach can help identify specific cellular changes, like eosinophilic infiltration, that are not detectable with standard surface biopsies, potentially offering more precise diagnostic information.16789

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial uses a new technology to map the lower esophageal sphincter in patients with achalasia. It helps doctors understand if the problem is due to muscle stiffness or nerve issues, allowing for earlier and better treatment. EsoFLIP is a new technology used for esophageal dilation in achalasia.

Research Team

AJ

Anand Jain, MD

Principal Investigator

Emory University

Eligibility Criteria

Adults over 18 with achalasia or esophageal motility disorders, who are undergoing specific treatments like Heller myotomy or per oral endoscopic myotomy. They must have been evaluated at Emory facilities and not be pregnant, imprisoned, cognitively impaired without consent ability, have severe cardiac issues, respiratory diseases, urinary retention problems, glaucoma, myasthenia gravis or poor kidney function.

Inclusion Criteria

Male or female patients, age 18 and above
You have recently had surgery or a procedure to treat your esophageal motility disorder.
Has a diagnosis of achalasia or an esophageal motility disorder with confirmed evaluation by one of the following modalities: functional lumen imaging probe (FLIP) or high resolution esophageal manometry (for Aim 1)
See 2 more

Exclusion Criteria

Pregnant women
Prisoners
Cognitively impaired adults unable to provide informed consent
See 2 more

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Pharmacologic Challenge

Measurement of esophageal response to atropine using functional lumen imaging probe (FLIP)

1 day
1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Atropine challenge
  • Esophageal muscle biopsy
Trial Overview The trial is testing how muscle fibrosis relates to lower esophageal sphincter measurements using a new technology called FLIP Topography after an atropine challenge. It aims to improve early intervention in achalasia by understanding the condition better through these tests and biopsies.
Participant Groups
1Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: Pharmacologic challengeExperimental Treatment2 Interventions
Measurement of esophageal response to atropine using functional lumen imaging probe (FLIP)

Esophageal muscle biopsy is already approved in United States, European Union for the following indications:

🇺🇸
Approved in United States as Esophageal muscle biopsy for:
  • Diagnosis of achalasia
  • Evaluation of esophageal motility disorders
🇪🇺
Approved in European Union as Esophageal muscle biopsy for:
  • Diagnosis of achalasia
  • Evaluation of esophageal motility disorders
  • Investigation of eosinophilic esophagitis

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Emory University

Lead Sponsor

Trials
1,735
Recruited
2,605,000+

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

Collaborator

Trials
2,513
Recruited
4,366,000+

Findings from Research

In a study of 20 patients with achalasia undergoing per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM), muscle layer biopsies were safely performed without complications, demonstrating the feasibility of this approach for further research.
The study found eosinophilic infiltration in only 15% of patients in the distal esophageal mucosa, with no evidence of eosinophilic esophagitis or infiltration in the muscle layer, suggesting that achalasia may be linked to immune or autoimmune reactions rather than eosinophilic infiltration.
Simultaneous Examination of Eosinophil Infiltration in Esophageal Mucosa and Muscle in Patients with Achalasia: Direct Biopsy of the Esophageal Muscle at Per-oral Endoscopic Myotomy.Chen, H., Calderon, LF., Shah, R., et al.[2022]
In a study of 114 achalasia patients undergoing peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM), those with thinner cardiac muscularis propria (MP) had significantly poorer clinical outcomes compared to those with thicker MP, indicating that MP thickness may predict treatment failure.
While the rate of perioperative adverse events (AEs) was slightly higher in patients with thinner MP, it was not statistically significant, suggesting that MP thickness primarily affects long-term treatment success rather than immediate surgical safety.
The relationship between cardiac muscularis propria and clinical outcomes of peroral endoscopic myotomy in achalasia.He, QL., Chen, XB., Lu, DH., et al.[2022]
Suction biopsies of the esophagus provided more comprehensive tissue samples and better orientation compared to endoscopic biopsies, with 92.5% of suction biopsies yielding deep tissue layers, while endoscopic biopsies only provided squamous epithelium.
The study found a low false-positive rate for gastroesophageal reflux in asymptomatic volunteers, highlighting the reliability of esophageal biopsies in evaluating reflux conditions.
Reassessment of esophageal histology in normal subjects: a comparison of suction and endoscopic techniques.Fink, SM., Barwick, KW., Winchenbach, CL., et al.[2019]

References

Simultaneous Examination of Eosinophil Infiltration in Esophageal Mucosa and Muscle in Patients with Achalasia: Direct Biopsy of the Esophageal Muscle at Per-oral Endoscopic Myotomy. [2022]
The relationship between cardiac muscularis propria and clinical outcomes of peroral endoscopic myotomy in achalasia. [2022]
Reassessment of esophageal histology in normal subjects: a comparison of suction and endoscopic techniques. [2019]
[Surgical treatment of esophageal achalasia. Personal trend]. [2006]
The Number of Interstitial Cells of Cajal Differs Among Different Subtypes of Achalasia and is Related to Patients' Prognosis. [2023]
Full-layer mucosal histology in achalasia: Histological epithelial wave is characteristic in "pinstripe pattern"-positive achalasia. [2018]
[THE VALUE OF MUSCLE BIOPSY IN PATIENTS WITHOUT WEAKNESS, HIGH CREATINE KINASE OR MYOPATHY ON ELECTROMYOGRAPHY]. [2019]
Combination of Symptom Profile, Endoscopic Findings, and Esophageal Mucosal Histopathology Helps to Differentiate Achalasia from Refractory Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. [2021]
[Muscle biopsy : Indications and techniques]. [2021]
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