Fitzgerald et al. 2020

It is estimated that 3–6% of individuals with gastro-oesophageal reflux-predominant symptoms could have the precursor lesion to oesophageal adenocarcinoma, known as Barrett's-esophagus. However, only around 20% of patients with Barrett’s-esophagus are diagnosed. We have developed a test for Barrett’s esophagus that is suitable for use in the primary care setting. The test comprises a non-endoscopic cell collection device coupled with an in vitro test for the specific biomarker, trefoil factor 3 (TFF3), that identifies intestinal metaplasia (the histopathological hallmark of Barrett’s esophagus. Thus far, two clinical studies of this new clinical strategy, termed the Cytosponge-TFF3 procedure, have been d…