Risk stratification of gastric cancer from biomarkers and symptoms
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Creating a risk stratification model for gastric cancer using demographics, symptoms and biomarkers.
IRAS ID
337048
Contact name
Nigel Trudgill
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
SANDWELL AND WEST BIRMINGHAM HOSPITALS NHS TRUST
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 2 days
Research summary
Chronic damage to the cells of the stomach lining is the single most important factor in developing gastric cancer. Helicobacter pylori a bacteria which causes infection in the stomach is the most important cause of inflammation of the stomach, and subsequent chronic damage or atrophy (cell change of the stomach).
The difficulty with diagnosing patients with gastric cancer is that a lot of patients will suffer from indigestion symptoms including heartburn and pain around the stomach, but very few of those will have gastric cancer. This makes it difficult for GPs to know who to refer for further testing.
To reduce the need for invasive diagnostic methods such as endoscopy where a flexible tube with a camera is inserted into the gullet and stomach via the mouth, a commercially available blood test (GastroPanel®) designed to measure the levels of certain key stomach hormones and check for Helicobacter pylori infection in order to detect chronic stomach damage or atrophy has been developed. It is rare for gastric cancer to develop without there first being gastric atrophy or helicobacter infection.
A real world study is needed assess the performance of this blood test in a group of patients referred via an urgent cancer pathway for endoscopy in the UK. Scoring systems have been created to help us triage referrals to endoscopy in those with difficulty swallowing, but no similar scoring is available for those presenting with other upper abdominal symptoms. By using this blood test as well as collecting relevant patient information on symptoms we hope to create an improved referral scoring system to prioritize for those needing investigation for gastric cancer.REC name
South West - Frenchay Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/SW/0051
Date of REC Opinion
14 May 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion