Plain English Summary
Background and study aims
An endoscopy is a procedure where the inside of the body is examined using an endoscope - a long, thin, flexible tube that has a light source and a video camera at one end. Small samples of tissue (biopsies) are also taken from the lining of the gut. A large number of biopsies are sometimes taken, particularly if a problem is suspected which cannot be seen, such as Barrett’s oesophagus, a condition where the cells of the oesophagus (gullet) grow abnormally which can develop into cancer. Specimens are sent to the laboratory for the pathologists to analyse, and it can take up to 3 weeks to get the result. Devices are being researched that can be used to accurately detect abnormalities within the gut without having to take biopsies. An accurate and effective device would bring huge benefits to patients and the NHS. The aim of this study is to find whether optical biopsy is a quicker and less invasive way to identify abnormalities in the gut.
Who can participate?
Patients undergoing endoscopy who do or do not have Barrett’s oesophagus
What does the study involve?
Participants come to the endoscopy unit for the camera test and for biopsies as per normal. Before the procedure they may be asked to give a blood and saliva sample as well as a painless swab taken from the inside of their cheek. During the endoscopy, before the tissue samples are taken, an optical fibre may be placed down the endoscope and a short burst of normal (white) light is passed down the fibre. The light that is reflected back up the fibre is analysed by a computer to obtain diagnostic information (optical biopsy). Routine tissue samples are then taken from the same area. A tissue sample from a nearby area of normal tissue is also taken in order to compare the results from normal and abnormal tissue. Up to four extra tissue samples, up to two cell samples, and a sample of fluid from the gut may also be sent to the pathology laboratory for analysis. The tissue sample results are then compared with the results of the optical biopsies.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
This study may not directly help the participants, but may help patients in the future by giving an immediate result, both reducing the number of biopsies taken and the waiting time for results. There is no extra risk involved apart from prolonging the endoscopic examination by a few minutes and taking the extra tissue samples, although this is extremely safe. The light measurement only takes a few seconds and the power of light used is so low that it doesn’t affect the participant in any way. The optical biopsy only increases the time of the endoscopy procedure by a few minutes and does not cause any additional discomfort. The taking of tissue samples, brushings and fluid is painless, safe and again only adds minutes to the procedure.
Where is the study run from?
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UK)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
March 2008 to March 2017
Who is funding the study?
University College London (UK)
Who is the main contact?
Dr Sarah Jevons
Trial website
Additional identifiers
EudraCT number
ClinicalTrials.gov number
Protocol/serial number
Version 8
Study information
Scientific title
Barrett’s oesophagus surveillance with optical biopsy using spectroscopy and enhanced endoscopic imaging to target high-risk lesions: a prospective cohort study
Acronym
BOOST
Study hypothesis
The trialists are researching devices that can be used to accurately detect abnormalities within the gut without having to take samples (biopsy). At present the devices being tested are elastic scattering spectroscopy (ESS), Fourier transform mid-infrared spectroscopy (FTIRS) and enhanced endoscopic imaging as well as changes to the composition of blood and saliva that would suggest an abnormality within the gut. The aim is to identify if any of the devices being tested might be able tell us immediately if an abnormality is present without having to examine a tissue sample under a microscope.
Medical device evaluation in prospective cohort study:
1. To determine whether optical biopsy can accurately predict cancer risk during surveillance endoscopy in patients without the need for further biopsies at all, particularly in patients undergoing routine endoscopic surveillance who are at low risk of progressing to oesophageal cancer.
2. To determine whether optical biopsy and other optical and biomarker techniques can be used to target biopsies to areas of dysplasia, aneuploidy or other molecular abnormalities.
Ethics approval
London - Dulwich Research Ethics Committee, 01/12/2015, ref: 08/H0808/8
Study design
Prospective cohort study
Primary study design
Observational
Secondary study design
Cohort study
Trial setting
Hospitals
Trial type
Screening
Patient information sheet
Not available in web format, please use contact details to request a participant information sheet
Condition
Barrett's oesophagus, dysplasia, aneuploidy or other molecular abnormalities and oesophageal adenocarcinoma
Intervention
A series of optical measurements are taken followed by routine biopsies, some of which may be initially examined ex vivo using ESS and/or FTIRS before being sent for histological evaluation. Correlation is made between the optical measurements (both in and ex vivo) and the histological diagnosis. Up to four extra biopsies, two cytology brush samples and oesophageal/stomach/small bowel fluid samples may also be taken, as well as saliva to store for later analysis of other molecular markers and to correlate these with optical measurements. These ‘optical biopsy’ measurements and extra biopsies are taken from patients with no obvious oesophageal disease and from patients with cancer as controls to compare with patients with Barrett's.
Intervention type
Device
Phase
Drug names
Primary outcome measure
1. Predictive accuracy of in vivo ESS for future cancer risk, particularly in patients undergoing routine endoscopic surveillance who are at low risk of progressing to oesophageal cancer
2. Ability to correlate endoscopy findings with cancer risk using genetic analysis of tissue or fluid samples
3. Predictive accuracy of ex vivo ESS and/or FTIRS for future cancer risk, particularly in patients undergoing routine endoscopic surveillance who are at low risk of progressing to oesophageal cancer
4. Ability of in vivo ESS to target biopsies to areas of dysplasia, aneuploidy or other molecular abnormalities
Secondary outcome measures
Ability of enhanced endoscopic imaging techniques including iScan to improve dysplasia detection and minimize the need for biopsies during endoscopic surveillance procedures
Overall trial start date
04/03/2008
Overall trial end date
31/03/2017
Reason abandoned (if study stopped)
Eligibility
Participant inclusion criteria
1. Patients will be recruited from those with Barrett’s oesophagus with or without other alterations (low-grade dysplasia [LGD] or high-grade dysplasia [HGD], any oesophageal or gastric cancer) undergoing endoscopy
2. Patients without Barrett’s oesophagus attending for a clinically indicated endoscopy may be recruited as controls
3. Patients must sign an informed consent form
Participant type
Patient
Age group
Adult
Gender
Both
Target number of participants
2000
Participant exclusion criteria
1. Patients in whom endoscopy and biopsy is contraindicated
2. Patients who are unable to give informed consent
3. Pregnant women
4. People under the age of 21 years
5. People who are non-English speakers
Recruitment start date
05/06/2008
Recruitment end date
31/03/2017
Locations
Countries of recruitment
United Kingdom
Trial participating centre
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
235 Euston Road
Fitzrovia
London
NW1 2BU
United Kingdom
Trial participating centre
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Hucknall Road
Nottingham
NG5 1PB
United Kingdom
Sponsor information
Organisation
UCL Biomedical Research Unit
Sponsor details
Gower Street
London
WC1E 6BT
United Kingdom
Sponsor type
University/education
Website
Organisation
University College London Hospital
Sponsor details
235 Euston Road
Fitzrovia
London
NW1 2BU
United Kingdom
Sponsor type
Hospital/treatment centre
Website
Funders
Funder type
University/education
Funder name
University College London
Alternative name(s)
UCL
Funding Body Type
private sector organisation
Funding Body Subtype
academic
Location
United Kingdom
Results and Publications
Publication and dissemination plan
To be confirmed at a later date
Intention to publish date
31/03/2018
Participant level data
To be made available at a later date
Basic results (scientific)
Publication list
2017 results in: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28732392