Low-cost swallowed sponge and portable test for esophageal cancer
Point-of-Care Diagnosis of Esophageal Cancer in LMICs
['FUNDING_U01'] · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · NIH-11376640
This project tests a swallowed sponge plus a portable lab device to find esophageal cancer earlier in people living in low- and middle-income countries.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_U01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BALTIMORE, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11376640 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You would swallow a small capsule that releases a sponge attached to a string to collect cells from your esophagus. The sponge is pulled back and the sample is processed on a portable magnetofluidic chip that purifies DNA and checks for cancer-related DNA methylation markers. The approach is designed to work without endoscopy, with simple training and portable power so it can be used in remote clinics. The goal is to quickly identify people at high risk and refer them for diagnosis and treatment.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults in low- and middle-income countries who are at risk for or have symptoms suggestive of esophageal cancer and who can swallow a capsule and attend a local clinic are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People who cannot swallow the capsule, need immediate therapeutic procedures, or whose cancers do not show the tested methylation markers may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could detect esophageal cancer earlier without the need for endoscopy, enabling faster treatment and improved outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Swallowed sponge collection methods have shown promise for other esophageal conditions, but combining sponge sampling with on-site methylation testing is a newer approach still being tested.
Where this research is happening
BALTIMORE, UNITED STATES
- JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY — BALTIMORE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: MELTZER, STEPHEN J — JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: MELTZER, STEPHEN J
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions: Cancer Detection, Cancers