Inflammatory Mediators as Potential Non-Invasive Biomarkers in Subjects With Eosinophilic Esophagitis

The investigators seek to assess esophageal inflammation or lack of it in response to treatment with a novel non-invasive method that would measure eosinophil-associated inflammatory mediators in the blood and urine to determine the presence of active Eosinophilic Esophagitis. For these purposes, the investigators will correlate esophageal inflammatory mediators measured in blood and urine with histological findings identified on esophageal mucosal biopsies. Additionally, biopsies associated mediators will be assessed relative to clinical phenotype and outcome.

Active, Not Recruiting

This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

Key information

Conditions

Eosinophilic Esophagitis Digestive System Diseases Eosinophilia Esophageal Diseases Esophagitis Gastroenteritis Gastrointestinal Diseases Hematologic Diseases Hemic and Lymphatic Diseases Hypersensitivity Hypersensitivity, Immediate Immune System Diseases Leukocyte Disorders

Age range

1 year–18 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States

About this study

The diagnosis, assessment of recurrence of inflammation, response to treatment and remission in EoE are all currently based on histological evaluation of upper endoscopic pinch esophageal biopsies. Obtaining biopsies for histological evaluation by this procedure is both invasive and expensive. The purpose of our longitudinal prospective study is to evaluate and quantify a panel of novel non-invasive eosinophilic inflammatory biomarkers in the blood and urine of subjects with EoE and compare their presence and levels with the presence or absence of measures of inflammation in esophageal biopsies. While evaluation of esophageal biopsies with 15 or more eosinophils per high power field is the gold standard for diagnosis of EoE, novel predictors of clinical outcome remain unclear. The objective is to identify one or more sensitive and specific non-invasive biomarkers that could be used to monitor esophageal inflammation, and identify novel tissue-based markers that identify phenotype and outcome. This would eliminate the need for invasive serial surveillance endoscopies for the purpose of evaluating for recurrence of inflammation or response to standard therapy since symptoms alone do not adequately correlate with either the presence or absence of disease activity (inflammation) in the esophagus of patients with EoE.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Patient ages 1-18 undergoing upper endoscopy for suspected esophageal disease or esophageal inflammation or has histologically confirmed esophageal inflammation may be included in this study

Exclusion criteria

Patients with a history or current diagnosis of esophageal malignancy or subjects with graft versus host disease will be excluded from the study.
Patients that are considered at high risk for biopsies at the discretion of the child's physician and/or the researcher
Patients with known bleeding disorders or patients with illnesses where bleeding would pose a threat to their health
Diagnosis other than Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) i.e. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

Correlate RNA and protein measures from esophageal biopsies with histologic, endoscopic and clinical aspects of disease along with non-invasive biomarkers

Time frame: 5 years

Frozen biopsies and archived slides from EoE patients and controls will be used in testing molecules released by or expressed on the cell surface of inflammatory cells. The molecules will be assessed using RNA sequencing, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry. This information will be correlated with eosinophil counts along with endoscopy findings, treatment outcomes and clinical measures of the disease such as symptoms, atopic co-morbidities, and demographics.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Inflammatory Mediators as Potential Non-Invasive Biomarkers and Understanding the Mechanism of Remodeling in Tissue Biopsies in Subjects With Eosinophilic Esophagitis: A Pilot Study

Important dates

Study start: 2011
Primary completion: 2015
Study completion: 2027
First posted: Jan 30, 2019
Registry last updated: Jun 5, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Active, Not Recruiting