Using pigs to improve treatments for esophageal diseases

Porcine Related apprOach to Multidisciplinary cOllaborative Translational ModEl Research (PROMOTER)

NIH-funded research Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11088958

This study is using pigs to help us learn more about esophageal diseases like achalasia and acid reflux, so we can find better treatments for people who have these conditions.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniv of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chapel Hill, United States)
Project IDNIH-11088958 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing and utilizing large animal models, specifically pigs, to better understand and treat esophageal diseases. By leveraging the anatomical and physiological similarities between pig and human esophagi, researchers aim to create a comprehensive toolbox for studying conditions like achalasia and acid reflux. The approach allows for non-invasive tissue sampling and long-term observation, which can lead to significant advancements in therapeutic strategies. The goal is to translate findings from these models into effective treatments for patients suffering from esophageal disorders.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from esophageal diseases such as achalasia, acid reflux, or Barrett's esophagus.

Not a fit: Patients with non-esophageal related digestive disorders or those who do not have any esophageal diseases may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of new, effective treatments for esophageal diseases that currently lack approved therapies.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research using large animal models has shown promise in other areas of medicine, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights for esophageal diseases as well.

Where this research is happening

Chapel Hill, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Allergic DiseaseBarrett Syndrome
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.