New trial of the pill for esophageal cancer screening.
Posted by giorgiobertin on January 16, 2024
The sponge capsule, known as pill on thread, is a quick and simple test for Barrett’s esophagus, a condition that can be a precursor to cancer.
The BEST4 study launched by Addenbrooke’s Hospital is the final step to verify whether the sponge capsule can prevent esophageal cancer if used to screen or monitor those most at risk of the disease. If so, it could become a national screening program across the NHS in England, in the same way that mammograms are used to screen for breast cancer.
Barrett’s Oesophagus Screening Research | Oesophageal Cancer | Cancer Research UK
Professor Fitzgerald said: “The sponge capsule, a quick and simple test for Barrett’s esophagus, could halve the number of deaths from esophageal cancer each year. Cases of esophageal cancer have increased six-fold since the 1990s“.
“The first phase of the trial examines whether the sponge capsule can be used as a cancer early warning system for patients diagnosed with Barrett’s. Using the capsule sponge and a new series of laboratory tests, we will monitor patients to see if we can prevent more cases of cancer.”.
Barrett’s esophagus is currently identified via an endoscopy and biopsy in hospital following a referral from your GP. It is a time-consuming, unpleasant and quite invasive procedure for patients, as well as being expensive for the healthcare system.
The sponge capsule is a small, easy to swallow capsule, attached to a string, which contains a sponge. The patient swallows the capsule which dissolves in the stomach and the sponge expands to the size of a 50 cent coin.
The sponge is carefully pulled up using string, collecting the cells for laboratory testing. The test takes just 10 minutes and can be performed in a family doctor’s office (video).
Learn more about the BEST4 trial.
THE CAPSULE SPONGE
BEST4 SURVEILLANCE TRIAL
Fonte: University of Cambridge
This entry was posted on gennaio 16, 2024 a 6:41 am and is filed under News-ricerca, Tecno Sanità.
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