The objective of this study is to determine the performance characteristics of a series of novel, non-invasive allergen-activated T cell assays designed to identify Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) causal foods, when used in conjunction with standard-of-care (SOC) practices. The question it aims to answer is: Will assay results accurately predict EoE food allergies in concordance with SOC endoscopies after diet changes?
This proof-of-concept, interventional prospective cohort study will enroll subjects with Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) who have not yet identified causal foods. Subject blood will be drawn and food-activated T cell responses will be assayed. Subjects will be advised to remove foods based on standard-of-care practices and/or the outcome of their T cell assays ("personalized elimination diet"). Symptoms will be measured by the Pediatric Eosinophilic Esophagitis Symptom Scores (PEESS) Child and Parent Surveys and standard of care (SOC) endoscopy with esophageal biopsy, respectively. Response to research assay-directed diet changes will provide information about the assay's clinical value.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
DIAGNOSTIC
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
50
Functional T cell assay(s) will be performed on research subjects' peripheral blood using four foods known to commonly cause Eosinophilic esophagitis - milk, soy, egg, and wheat. Response magnitude to foods in vitro will influence whether a subject's physician chooses to recommend the subject AVOID the food or continue to CONSUME the food. Disease response to the diet changes will be evaluated in standard-of-care follow up endoscopy.
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Esophageal eosinophilia (number of eosinophils in the esophagus)
Eosinophils per high power field on follow up esophageal biopsy
Time frame: At least 4 weeks after implementation of diet changes
Pediatric Eosinophilic Esophagitis Symptom Score (total score based on pediatric symptom score)
Min 0-Max 100 (lower is better)
Time frame: At least 4 weeks after implementation of diet changes
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