The Use of Biomarkers to Guide Management of Patients Treated With Radiofrequency Ablation for Early Oesophageal Neoplasia (PROBAN)
![]() |
The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Know the risks and potential benefits of clinical studies and talk to your health care provider before participating. Read our disclaimer for details. |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04155242 |
Recruitment Status :
Not yet recruiting
First Posted : November 7, 2019
Last Update Posted : November 15, 2019
|
- Study Details
- Tabular View
- No Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
This prospective cohort study aims to assess the utility of a panel of molecular biomarkers for predicting the risk of relapse of Barrett's Oesophagus after endoscopic treatment of early oesophageal neoplasia with RadioFrequency Ablation (RFA). Patients who received endoscopic treatment of early oesophageal neoplasia with RFA and achieved endoscopic remission will be recruited. During the surveillance visits patients will receive a Cytosponge test followed by an endoscopy with Narrow Band Imaging (NBI) magnification and biopsies. Patients will receive an endoscopy every 6 months and Cytosponge every 12 months for at least 2 years. Molecular biomarkers including a methylation panel on DNA and immunohistochemical markers on formalin fixed paraffin embedded samples. After 2 years of intensive endoscopic follow up, patients will be prospectively tracked for up to 3 years.
The investigators will also evaluate:
- The risk of progression to dysplasia or oesophageal intestinal metaplasia (IM) in patients with IM at the GOJ post RFA in the absence of retreatment
- the diagnostic accuracy of NBI for IM/dysplasia at the GOJ .
Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
---|---|---|
Barrett's Oesophagus | Diagnostic Test: Cytosponge test Diagnostic Test: Assessment of the panel of molecular biomarkers: IM-SCORE, TFF3 protein expression, methylation panel, p53 mutation Diagnostic Test: Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy | Not Applicable |
The panel of predetermined molecular biomarkers includes:
- IM-SCORE - a score quantifying the extent of intestinal metaplasia at GOJ, which uses a 4-tier system based on the number of glands and the number of biopsies with features of IM. The score has been developed in a pilot study (manuscript under submission) and will be validated in this study
- Methylation markers- assessed by a PCR-based method (Methylight) on Cytosponge samples.
- P53 status.
- TFF3 protein expression.
Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Estimated Enrollment : | 147 participants |
Intervention Model: | Single Group Assignment |
Masking: | None (Open Label) |
Primary Purpose: | Diagnostic |
Official Title: | Prospective Study on the Use of Biomarkers to Guide Management of Patients Treated With Radiofrequency Ablation for Early Oesophageal Neoplasia |
Estimated Study Start Date : | December 1, 2019 |
Estimated Primary Completion Date : | December 1, 2024 |
Estimated Study Completion Date : | December 1, 2024 |
Arm | Intervention/treatment |
---|---|
Experimental: Study group
As part of the post RFA treatment follow up patients will receive a Cytosponge test followed by an endoscopy with NBI magnification and biopsies. Four endoscopies will be performed during 2 years of active follow up together with up to 2 Cytosponge procedures. Molecular biomarkers including a methylation panel on DNA and immunohistochemical markers on formalin fixed paraffin embedded samples obtained during the examinations will be assessed. Patients will be then followed up for up to 3 years with standard endoscopy to assess for relapse of Barrett's oesophagus/IM/dysplasia.
|
Diagnostic Test: Cytosponge test
The Cytosponge will be administered by the study nurse prior to the participant having the endoscopy, usually as part of the same visit to hospital. The capsule along with the string is swallowed by drinking a small glass of water. The participant is asked to hold the Cytosponge in situ for 5 minutes. The sponge contained within expands and is then drawn back by the research nurse up the oesophagus by the attached string, collecting cells as it moves upwards. This device received a letter of no objection by the MHRA for use in the BEST pilot trial (LRQ 0939857) but it is not CE marked. Cytosponge and research endoscopic biopsies will be couriered to the Fitzgerald laboratory, at the MRC Cancer Cell Unit on a regular basis. The specimens will be processed in conjunction with the Cambridge University Hospitals' NHS Foundation Trust tissue bank which is accredited to GLP standards. Diagnostic Test: Assessment of the panel of molecular biomarkers: IM-SCORE, TFF3 protein expression, methylation panel, p53 mutation Molecular analysis of the specimen obtained by Cytosponge or endoscopic biopsies - TFF3 protein expression, methylation panel, p53 mutation. Endoscopic biopsies will be assessed for the presence of IM (according to the IM-score). Diagnostic Test: Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy
|
- Diagnostic accuracy of methylation panel for diffuse IM at the GOJ [ Time Frame: 5 years ]Diagnostic accuracy of a panel of methylation markers (ZNF345, ZNF569 and TFPI2 loci) for diffuse IM at the GOJ assessed by Methylight on DNA extracted from GOJ biopsies (separately random and targeted biopsies) and Cytosponge samples.
- Proportion of patients developing true BE recurrence [ Time Frame: 5 years ]Number of patients with GOJ IM with different IM score that will develop true BE recurrence during the observation period defined as oesophageal IM or dysplasia.
- Biomarker score for BE recurrence [ Time Frame: 5 years ]
The accuracy of a biomarker panel to predict risk of BE recurrence. The following biomarkers will be assessed:
- P53 status by immunohistochemistry
- TFF3 expression by immunohistochemistry
- IM-SCORE (defined in the Study Description section)
- methylation markers (defined in the Outcome 1 Description section).
- Accuracy of Light Blue Crest sign [ Time Frame: 5 years ]Diagnostic accuracy of a Light Blue Crest (LBC) sign in NBI for the diagnosis of GOJ IM. During each performed endoscopy, NBI magnification will be used to assess systematically the mucosal pit pattern at the GOJ and to look for the LBC sign. In order to assess the accuracy of LBC, targeted biopsies will be taken from all the areas with LBC.
- Safety of Cytosponge [ Time Frame: 5 years ]
Number of participants with Cytosponge procedure-related serious adverse events defined as an event that:
Results in death Is life-threatening Requires hospitalisation or prolongation of existing hospitalisation Results in persistent or significant disability or incapacity Consists of a congenital anomaly or birth defect Is otherwise considered medically significant by the investigator (eg. a further procedure is required for the patient).

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contacts provided below. For general information, Learn About Clinical Studies.
Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years and older (Adult, Older Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Inclusion Criteria
- Previous RFA for dysplastic BE or following EMR for BE-related neoplasia
- No definite endoscopic evidence of BE defined as at least 1cm tongue of columnar oesophagus or oesophageal BE islands larger than 5mm.
- No histological evidence of oesophageal IM including buried BE at first post RFA follow up. GOJ IM is allowed
- No evidence of suspicious lesions with dysplasia at the GOJ.
Exclusion criteria
- Evidence of BE requiring additional RFA
- Anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy for high risk conditions, whereby discontinuation of the treatment is not recommended.
- Individuals with a diagnosis of an oro-pharynx, oesophageal or gastro-oesophageal tumour (T2 staging and above), or symptoms of dysphagia,
- Oesophageal varices, stricture or requiring dilatation of the oesophagus
- Individuals who have had a myocardial infarction or any cardiac event less than six months ago
- Patients whose primary previous ablative treatment was different from RFA, such as Photodynamic therapy (PDT), APC or Cryotherapy
- Participants who are unable to provide informed consent.
- Participants under age 18.
- Endoscopy is generally avoided in pregnant women and therefore it is unlikely that any pregnant women will be included although pregnancy would not be an absolute contraindication. Pregnancy/ pregnancy test will not be recorded as part of the trial.

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT04155242
Contact: Massimiliano Di Pietro, MD | 01223763349 | md460@mrc-cu.cam.ac.uk |
United Kingdom | |
MRC Cancer Unit | |
Cambridge, United Kingdom, CB2 0XZ |
Principal Investigator: | Massimiliano Di Pietro, MD | MRC Cancer Unit, Hutchison-MRC Research Hon. Consultant Gastroenterologist, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge. |
Responsible Party: | Massimiliano di Pietro, MD, Dr Massimiliano di Pietro, Senior Clinical Investigator Scientist, MRC Cancer Unit, Hutchison-MRC Research Hon. Consultant Gastroenterologist, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge., University of Cambridge |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT04155242 History of Changes |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
ISRCTN12730505 |
First Posted: | November 7, 2019 Key Record Dates |
Last Update Posted: | November 15, 2019 |
Last Verified: | November 2019 |
Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement: | |
Plan to Share IPD: | No |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product: | No |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product: | No |
Barrett's oesophagus Radiofrequency ablation Early Oesophageal Neoplasia |
Barrett Esophagus Neoplasms Precancerous Conditions |
Esophageal Diseases Gastrointestinal Diseases Digestive System Diseases |