TECR & ECM Placement for Esophageal High Grade Dysplasia

Overview

This study will test the safety and effectiveness of esophageal transoral endoscopic circumferential resection (TECR) using an extracellular matrix (ECM) placement to treat Barrett's esophagus in patients with high-grade dysplasia (HGD). Endoscopic circumferential resection using ECM placement has been introduced as a less invasive, externally incision-less approach to treat patients with esophageal high grade dysplasia; a pre-cancerous condition. In this procedure, the entire length of diseased (abnormal) mucosa (esophagus lining) will be removed using an endoscope that will be inserted through the mouth. The ECM will be placed over the area that is being removed with a temporary, expandable stent to prevent narrowing of the esophagus. The stent is being used to hold the ECM in place as the body begins the healing process. This stent will be removed 14 days (±4 days) after this procedure. Follow-up esophagogastroduodenoscopies (EGD), barium swallow x-ray tests, and questionnaires will take place for 12 months following the procedure. The result of this study may help doctors determine if this procedure would be a more effective treatment option for HGD in the future.

This is a single-center, prospective, single arm study involving 10 patients with an established diagnosis of Barrett's Esophagus (BE) with High Grade Dysplasia (HGD). Potential subjects will be prescreened to assess eligibility and must meet inclusion criteria. In order to make this initial qualification, pathology results of biopsies and EMR collected during initial EGD will be made available to the Investigator prior to patient consent. Following informed consent and as part of routine care, all potential participants will undergo endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and a PET/CT scan to confirm that there is no lymph node involvement or other metastatic lesions prior to the procedure. Clinical data will be collected at baseline to assess the subjects' medical status including: demographics, medical history, physical examination, vital signs, and blood testing. Cardiac and pulmonary clearance will be obtained if needed based on medical history and will include a chest x-ray, ECG, and pulmonary function test. In addition, the subjects will complete three questionnaires prior to the procedure: dysphagia severity questionnaire, SF-36, and GERD-HRQL. At the time of the procedure, participants will undergo TECR with ECM placement using a fully covered self-expanding metal stent to temporarily hold the ECM in place. Prior to hospital discharge, a barium swallow test (BaSW) will be performed at Day 1 following the study procedure to evaluate the passage of contrast through the GEJ. If the BaSW results in suspicious findings of esophageal perforation or mucosal necrosis, an upper endoscopy will be performed for further evaluation. The first primary safety endpoint for this study will be assessed following the procedure and BaSW and before discharge from the hospital. At this time point any adverse events will be assessed and recorded. All subjects will undergo the same follow-up procedures, including questionnaires and post-procedure EGDs performed at Week 2, Month 1, Month 3, Month 6, Month 9 and Month 12 to visually assess tissue healing, recurrent disease, and if stricture formation is present. Biopsies will be taken during follow-up EGDs so that pathology can rule out recurrence of BE and HGD. Subjects will have a barium swallow x-ray at Month 1, Month 3, Month 6, Month 9, and Month 12 to evaluate the potential presence of stricture formation. During Week 2 EGD, the stent will be removed during the upper endoscopy. If at any time point a subject has dysphagia with stricture formation (30% reduction in esophageal luminal diameter), routine dilation using a balloon catheter will be performed during the EGD. Validated questionnaires including dysphagia severity questionnaire, SF-36 and GERD-HRQL will be administered to objectively assess the severity of symptoms and quality of life based upon self-reported data. Additionally, adverse events will be assessed and recorded at all follow-up time points. After completion of the Month 12 visit, subjects will be followed on a routine care basis at the Esophageal \& Lung Institute.