BEST4 Surveillance TRIAL

The BEST4 surveillance trial is looking to see if the capsule sponge test can be used as part of surveillance for people Barrett’s oesophagus. We will look to see if the test can find signs of cell changes to decide whether endoscopy is needed.

People with Barrett’s Oesophagus are slightly more likely than the general population to develop pre-cancerous cell changes known as dysplasia. To check for these cell changes, people with Barrett’s are often offered regular endoscopy with biopsies (small tissue samples). If found, they can then be treated before becoming cancer. 

Endoscopies can be costly, uncomfortable, and inconvenient. The capsule sponge test may be an easier way to first check for signs of cell changes to see if endoscopy is needed. 

This trial will confirm if the capsule sponge test is a good way to decide whether endoscopy is needed. We will compare the capsule sponge test results with endoscopy biopsy results over 3 years. If the capsule sponge test finds signs of cell changes well, it could be used as part of Barrett’s surveillance in future. This would mean some people could have fewer endoscopies.

We aim to include 2,000 people with Barrett’s Oesophagus. People in the trial may have had the diagnosis for some time, or have been recently diagnosed in the BEST4 Screening Trial. People will be invited by the clinical team at their local hospital.

Select hospitals in the following areas will be inviting people to take part: 

• East of England
• East Midlands
• Yorkshire & Humber
• South East Central