Biomarkers of the progression of Barrett's oesophagus. Version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Identification of novel biomarkers to monitor the progression of Barrett’s oesophagus
IRAS ID
161413
Contact name
D.M. Pritchard
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Liverpool
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
The incidence of adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus (ACO) is increasing and survival at 5 years is poor. The risk of developing ACO is increased substantially in patients with Barrett’s oesophagus, but even so, surveillance programs identify a relatively small proportion of Barrett’s patients developing ACO each year (<0.5%). Patients with BO are typically treated with proton pump inhibitors which raise plasma concentrations of the stomach hormone gastrin by blocking gastric acid-inhibition of gastrin release. There are reports that gastrin may drive BO progression. However, the progression of BO occurs over many years and there is a need for validated biomarkers of gastrin-driven Barrett’s cell function that can been used over much shorter periods to monitor the response in evaluating novel therapies based on this concept. We propose collecting oesophageal biopsies from BO patients to assess tissue biomarker expression by qPCR, and blood from the same patients to assess circulating biomarker concentrations and plasma gastrin to answer the question ““is there elevated biomarker in those patients with high gastrin (and increased incidence of high grade dysplasia)”. The primary outcome will be a biomarker assay that is suitable for use in clinical trials of novel anti-gastrin therapies to slow progression of Barrett’s oesophagus to adenocarcinoma.
REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/NW/1334
Date of REC Opinion
6 Nov 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion