Invasive cancer tests could be dropped for new ‘sponge’ method

Thousands of people currently monitored for food cancer could be spared of invasive diagnostic procedures thanks to a revolutionary sponge “sponge on string”, suggests new research.

A study published in Lancet Medical Journal indicates that this less invasive method could replace traditional endoscopies for more than half of the Barrett esophagus patients, a condition where gastric acid damages the mucosa of the food pipe, potentially leading to esophageal cancer.

Currently, the NHS offers regular monitoring of the Barrett esophagus every two to five years, involving an endoscopy where a tube equipped with camera has passed in the esophagus.

This procedure, although effective, is invasive and can be uncomfortable for patients.

However, researchers think that a new less invasive capsule sponge test could offer a viable alternative for many.

Already used in some NHS hospitals for diagnosis, the test involves a patient swallowing a capsule attached to a chain. Once swallowed, the capsule dissolves in the stomach, leaving a small sponge.

After a few minutes, the NHS staff withdraw the sponge via the chain, collecting cells from the esophageal mucosa for the analysis.

The new Lancet The study, funded by Cancer Research UK, NHS England Cancer Alliance and Innovate UK, involved 910 participants in 13 British hospitals.

The results revealed that around 15% of patients were identified as high risk of developing cancer, while 54% were classified as low risk.

The study authors concluded that the capsule sponge could effectively monitor patients with low -risk barrett esophagus, replacing the need for regular endoscopies. Above all, the test could be administered by nurses in GP practices, which makes it more accessible.

Professor Peter Sasieni of the unit of prevention of cancer of cancer of Research UK at Queen Mary University of London said: “Our results suggest that the sponge of the capsule could help to stratify patients with Barrett esophagus by risk and that half of them will fall into the low -risk group.

“Since the risk that these individuals progress to dysplasia (abnormal cells) and then to esophagus cancer are so weak, it should be sure to replace their usual endoscopy with the sponge of the capsule.”

Professor Rebecca Fitzgerald de Cambridge added: “We are very excited by these results, which could lead to a much more accessible and less dependent test of the operator to improve the monitoring standards of Barrett patients through the NHS and beyond.”

Michelle Mitchell, Director General of Cancer Research UK, also pointed out on the breakthrough: “Esophagus cancer survival rates have remained unacceptably low for decades, with less than 20% of patients surviving for five years or more after diagnosis. Early detection is vital if we change this dark statistics.”

Ms. Mitchell praised the sponge of the capsule as “one of the most promising breakthroughs in the early detection that we have seen to date”, adding that these new results bring us closer to the transformation of diagnosis and treatment.

“If it is widely adopted, this innovative approach could save a large number of people of discomfort and invasive endoscopies. By providing this alternative more accessible to community care, we have the potential to save more lives.”