Finding a Barrett’s Esophagus Research Study
Several of you have mentioned participating in Barrett’s research studies, such as clinical trials of new treatments (cryo, RFA, etc). There are several different ways to find clinical research studies to participate in.
If your gastroenterologist works at a university academic medical center, this is a good place to start to find studies. He/she may have suggestions for participating in trials of new therapies in your area. You can also check the websites of nearby academic medical centers for available research studies.
In the US, one of the best sources of information is www.clinicaltrials.gov. Many clinical trials in the US get registered with this site and they have an straightforward search function for locating studies. From the main page, select ‘search for clinical trials’. In the search box, then enter the words you’re interested in. For example, entering ‘Barrett’s esophagus’ produces a list of 60 studies, 34 of which are recruiting. With more specific terms, such as ‘cryotherapy AND Barrett’s', 6 studies are listed with 3 active or recruiting. There is also a ‘refine search’ page, where you can enter more specific details, such as searching only a specific state for available studies. You can click on individual studies to read more about them and the contact information for the researchers is listed.
Internationally, there are other clinical trials registries, sponsored by the WHO and individual countries. I’m not as familiar with these, but here’s a list of a few:
International clinical trials registry: www.ISRCTN.org
Australia and New Zealand: www.anzctr.org.au
Japan: www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/index/htm
The Netherlands: www.trialregister.nl
China: www.chictr.org/
Germany: www.germanctr.de/
India: www.ctri.in:8080/Clinicaltrials/trials_jsp/index.jsp
- posted by Kerry Dunbar, MD
May 31st, 2009 at 1:18 am
Hello Doctor,
My mother recently received her Endoscopy and Biopsy report. Endoscopy came out as below.
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Indication: Dysphagia
Oesophagus: Large Flat ulcer 25-29 CM on Posterior wall. No exudate or raised margins.
Fails to Stain with Lugol’s iodine.
Stomach: Normal fundus, Body and Antrum.
Duodenum: Normal D1 and D2
Impression: Oesophageal Ulcer.
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Biopsy report
Specimen: OESOPHAGEAL BIOPSY
Gross: Three Bits, all embedded.
Microscopy: The oesophageal biopsy shows fragments of squamous epithelium, some of which show moderate dysplasia.
The Squamous cells show nucleomegaly and dysplasia. Mitosis is seen in the upper layers of the tissue. Dyskeratotic epithelial cells are present as well. There is no invasion in this biopsy. There are no granulomas or evidence of HSV or CMV.
Impression: Biopsy Oesophagus- Moderate dysplasia
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The doctor is confused and asked her to take Proton Pump Inhibitor and Sufcralite for 15 days and come back for another Biopsy. I am deeply worried and praying in God this won’t turnout to be bad. However I was thinking about Barrx treatment for her condition, I don’t see anywhere Dysplasia other than BE treated by Barrx, I’m thinking of getting this treatment to her.
Please provide your valuable comments.
There is very less information on Dysplasia other than BE, I am worried and sad. Please show me some light on how to address this.
-Bhaskar
June 23rd, 2009 at 11:00 am
Dear Bhaskar,
From the information you posted, it sounds like your mother has squamous dysplasia of the esophagus. This is different than Barrett’s esophagus. Barrett’s esophagus can lead to adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. Squamous dysplasia can lead to squamous cell cancer of the esophagus. Barrx hasn’t been used that frequently in squamous dysplasia of the esophagus, but there are some ongoing studies (separate post to follow). K Dunbar, MD
March 24th, 2010 at 7:28 pm
Hello Dr.Dunbar,
Thanks for your information. Sorry for posting late, just wanted to give an update on my mothers condition.
Since last June, my mothers condition has remained, one change is that the ulcers size has reduced and there is 50% reduction in her pain when she swallows spicy food. But the ulcer itself had remained and we did Two more biopsies meantime. Second Biopsy done sometime during last October ruled out mailgnancy and said the cell changes are due to viral cytopatic effect. They are basically not sure why the ulcer is not healing (though it has become small). Recently we went to get PET scan and the report came out telling that there was mild uptake of FDG in esophagus but that due to inflammation and there were no focal lesions or change in esophagus wall was found, PET scan report concluded this as esophagitis. However she went to see another Gastroenterologist who ordered a biopsy and the result has come stating moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma of esophagus. We are in terrible confusion and would like to have a second opinion from you. Please write back to me so that I can provide all the reports.
-Bhaskar