EsophaCap for Detecting Esophageal and Gastric Cancers

This study is looking for better ways to find Barrett's Esophagus (a condition that can lead to cancer), esophageal cancer, and gastric (stomach) cancer early. Researchers are using a special capsule called EsophaCap to collect cells from your esophagus and stomach. They will then look for specific changes in your genes (biomarkers) that could help tell the difference between these conditions and healthy tissue. The goal is to find the best gene markers to identify these cancers and Barrett's Esophagus. You might be able to join if you are over 18, having an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (a procedure to look at your esophagus, stomach, and small intestine) at Johns Hopkins Hospital, and can swallow a capsule. The study is currently unclear on its recruitment status.

Study design
This is an observational study planning to include 2500 participants. It is not specified if it is randomized or blinded.
What's involved
You would need to be undergoing an esophagogastroduodenoscopy and be able to swallow a capsule. The gene marker differences are measured at 1 day.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Not specified.

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NCT04214119

EsophaCap for the Detection of Early Esophageal Carcinoma

Recruiting
Not specifiedAges 18+Observational
Johns Hopkins University
~2,500 participants
Updated 2025-12-16 on ClinicalTrials.gov

At a glance

Recruiting sites
2 of 2 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Difference in methylation of gene markers to discriminate Barrett's esophagus from non-pathological esophageal squamous and gastric cardia tissue.
Measured over 1 day
+2 more outcomes measured
Barrett Esophagus
Esophageal Cancer
Gastric Cancer
2 sites across 1 states
Maryland2
  • Stephen Meltzer, M.D. · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Johns Hopkins University

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy at Johns Hopkins Hospital from 1/2016 to 12/2025
Age greater than 18 years
Patients must be able to swallow a capsule

Exclusion

Patients in either arm with extra-esophageal malignancies including head and neck and gastric cancer
Patients who have undergone esophagectomy
Patients who have undergone radiation to the chest
Patients who are younger than 18
Patients with esophageal stents
Patients with esophageal strictures disabling passage of the capsule
  • Difference in methylation of gene markers to discriminate Barrett's esophagus from non-pathological esophageal squamous and gastric cardia tissue.1 day

    Using DNA methylation, we plan on identifying, from a pool of highly selected marker candidates, the best biomarkers that are aberrantly methylated in Barrett's esophagus versus control in order to differentiate between subjects who have Barrett's esophagus and those who do not have Barrett's esophagus. This is measure using methylation index and the calculated probability score from different methylation index values.

  • Difference in methylation of gene markers to discriminate esophageal carcinoma from non-pathological esophageal squamous and gastric cardia tissue.1 day

    Using DNA methylation, we plan on identifying, from a pool of highly selected marker candidates, the best biomarkers that are aberrantly methylated in esophageal cancer versus control in order to differentiate between subjects who have esophageal cancer and those who do not. This is measure using methylation index and the calculated probability score from different methylation index values.

  • Difference in methylation of gene markers to discriminate gastric cancer from non-pathological esophageal squamous and gastric cardia tissue.1 day

    Using DNA methylation, we plan on identifying, from a pool of highly selected marker candidates, the best biomarkers that are aberrantly methylated in gastric cancer versus control in order to differentiate between subjects who have gastric cancer and those who do not. This is measure using methylation index and the calculated probability score from different methylation index values.