ESD Versus EMR for Treatment of Early Barrett's Adenocarcinoma

Water-jet Assisted Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD) Versus Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR) for Treatment of Early Barrett's Adenocarcinoma

Conventional techniques of endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) by snare resection do usually not achieve resection of gastrointestinal mucosal neoplastic lesions larger than 1 cm in diameter in a single piece. Complete R0 resection cannot be histologically confirmed. In contrast to EMR the technique of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) allows en-bloc resection even of large neoplastic lesions. The waterjet-assisted ESD technology (WESD) allows pressure controlled injection of fluids through the tip of a recently developed HybridKnife®. Submucosal injection, circumferential cutting and dissection of lesions as well as coagulation of bleeding sources can be performed with the same device without need for changing the instrument. Our group reported on effective en-bloc resection of esophageal areas in all of 14 cases of an Erlangen porcine model. We subsequently compared WESD with EMR of predefined esophageal mucosal lesions in anesthetizised pigs in a randomized controlled trial. The results demonstrated that WESD more frequently achieved a complete resection with a significantly lower number of specimen. WESD caused no perforations and bleedings could be endoscopically managed during the procedure. In addition we recently reported on this technology in a first clinical trial on WESD for early Barrett's neoplasia . The results indicated that WESD can be safely and effectively performed in the esophagus.

Therefore the primary objective of this study is to compare the R0 resection rate of ESD and EMR for visible lesions of HIgh grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HGIN) or esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Secondary objectives are related to completeness of resection, safety of the procedures, the medium term outcome and comparison of costs.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Barrett Adenocarcinoma; High Grade Intraepithelial Neoplasia
• Intervention / Treatment: Procedure: Endoscopic mucosal resection; Procedure: Waterjet-assisted ESD; Device: HybridKnife

Detailed Description

Conventional techniques of endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) by snare resection do usually not achieve resection of gastrointestinal mucosal neoplastic lesions larger than 1 cm in diameter in a single piece ("en-bloc"). En-bloc resection can even fail in cases of smaller lesions depending on their location and shape. Extension of EMR by piecemeal resection is therefore frequently required for removal of the targeted neoplastic area. However the histological evaluation of several specimen can usually not identify the outer margins of the neoplastic area. Thus complete R0 resection cannot be histologically confirmed. Histologically important additional information, e.g. infiltration of lymphatic vessels or submucosal infiltration may be missed in between resected specimen due to coagulation artifacts or left tissue bridges. In addition piecemeal EMR of early neoplasia in Barrett's esophagus is associated with a high recurrence rate probably because of minor remnants of neoplastic tissue. In contrast to EMR the technique of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) allows en-bloc resection even of large neoplastic lesions. Variations of this method have been increasingly used for various types of early gastrointestinal neoplasia mainly in Asian countries. In Japan ESD has been approved for treatment of selected cases of early gastric and colorectal neoplasia as an alternative to surgery. A recent meta-analysis of non-randomized controlled trials showed that ESD of early gastrointestinal tumors is superior to EMR in terms of en-bloc resection and curative resection rates but it is more time-consuming and is associated with higher rates of bleeding and perforation. A few small series on ESD were also reported from Western countries.

The waterjet-assisted ESD technology (WESD) allows pressure controlled injection of fluids through the tip of a recently developed HybridKnife®. Submucosal injection, circumferential cutting and dissection of lesions as well as coagulation of bleeding sources can be performed with the same device without need for changing the instrument. These options should accelerate the procedure and may increase its safety and efficacy. Experimental trials in ex vivo and in vivo pig models showed that the gastrointestinal mucosa of different sites can be effectively and safely lifted by gentle placement of the HybridKnife® on the wall and needleless injection of saline solution with pressures between 30 - 70 bar. Our group reported on effective en-bloc resection of esophageal areas in all of 14 cases of an Erlangen porcine model. We subsequently compared WESD with EMR of predefined esophageal mucosal lesions in anesthetizised pigs in a randomized controlled trial. The results demonstrated that WESD more frequently achieved a complete resection with a significantly lower number of specimen. WESD caused no perforations and bleedings could be endoscopically managed during the procedure.

Furthermore, we applied WESD for early gastric neoplasia in a prospective single center study. This study involved 29 consecutive patients. The results confirmed the experimental findings that WESD simplifies the ESD procedure and can be effectively and safely performed. Repici et al. applied the WESD methodology to colorectal neoplasia larger than 3 cm in diameter. Also this clinical study showed that WESD is a safe and effective method to provide en-bloc and curative resection of selected cases of colorectal neoplastic lesions.

In addition we recently reported on this technology in a first clinical trial on WESD for early Barrett's neoplasia. The results indicated that WESD can be safely and effectively performed in the esophagus. It achieved en-bloc resection of early BE neoplasia in 27 of 30 patients. The rate of histologically complete resection (R0) was 38.5 % which was higher than previously reported for focal EMR of BE-EAC. We discussed that higher rates can be expected in case of well delineated lesions and definition of R0 resection as histologically complete resection of adenocarcinoma or HGIN. This definition would not consider LGIN at lateral margins as incomplete resection which is in accordance to a recent trial on ESD of early colorectal neoplasia. Possible remnants of LGIN seem to be clinically irrelevant because they are not considered as exclusion criteria for RFA after complete endoscopic removal of HGIN or EAC. RFA is considered to be the best available ablation technique for eradication of residual BE mucosa after focal EMR. On the other hand R0 resection of HGIN or EAC is considered to be important because a complete histological evaluation of the specimen minimizes the risk of overlooking criteria for advanced tumor stages (e.g. cancerous infiltration of lymphatic vessels or submucosal tissue) which are related with an increased risk of lymph node metastases thus requiring major surgery. The risk of a more advanced lesion is increased in visible lumps or nodules consisting of HGIN. In this context it should be considered that there is poor inter-observer agreement among pathologists in distinguishing HGD from intra-mucosal adenocarcinoma.

Therefore the primary objective of this study is to compare the R0 resection rate of ESD and EMR for visible lesions of HGIN or EAC. Secondary objectives are related to completeness of resection, safety of the procedures, the medium term outcome and comparison of costs.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 40
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Germany
  • Duesseldorf, Germany, 40217
    • Evangelisches Krankenhaus

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (ADULT, OLDER_ADULT)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male, Female
• At least 18 years old

Exclusion Criteria:

• - Age under 18 years
• Health status ASA 4
• Pregnancy
• INR>2.0, Platelets < 70/nl
• Previous endoscopic or surgical treatment of BE neoplasia
• Neoplastic lesions which do not meet the inclusion criteria, in particular flat lesions (type 0-IIb)
• Additional areas of HGIN or AC
• Absence of a signed informed consent

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: TREATMENT
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Interventional Model: PARALLEL
• Masking: DOUBLE

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
ACTIVE_COMPARATOR: endoscopic mucosal resection; Endoscopic mucosal resection removes tissue in a piece meal technique or by snare limited to the mucosa.	Procedure: Endoscopic mucosal resection; Endoscopic mucosal resection removes tissue in a piece meal technique or by snare limited to the mucosa.; Procedure: Waterjet-assisted ESD; The waterjet-assisted endoscopic submucosal dissection (WESD) technology allows pressure controlled injection of fluids through the tip of a recently developed HybridKnife®. Submucosal injection, circumferential cutting and dissection of lesions.
ACTIVE_COMPARATOR: Waterjet-assisted ESD; The waterjet-assisted endoscopic submucosal dissection (WESD) technology allows pressure controlled injection of fluids through the tip of a recently developed HybridKnife®. Submucosal injection, circumferential cutting and dissection of lesions.	Procedure: Endoscopic mucosal resection; Endoscopic mucosal resection removes tissue in a piece meal technique or by snare limited to the mucosa.; Procedure: Waterjet-assisted ESD; The waterjet-assisted endoscopic submucosal dissection (WESD) technology allows pressure controlled injection of fluids through the tip of a recently developed HybridKnife®. Submucosal injection, circumferential cutting and dissection of lesions.; Device: HybridKnife; The waterjet-assisted endoscopic submucosal dissection (WESD) technology allows pressure controlled injection of fluids through the tip of a recently developed HybridKnife®. Submucosal injection, circumferential cutting and dissection of lesions.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Histologically complete resection (R0 resection) of BE - HGIN or EAC	6 month

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Complete resection of the targeted neoplastic area	6 month
Complete en-bloc resection of the targeted neoplastic area	6 month
Determination of the procedural duration	6 month
Determination of the 30-day morbidity and mortality	6 month
Determination of the costs to achieve CR from HGIN or EAC	6 month

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Evangelisches Krankenhaus Düsseldorf

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Terheggen G, Horn EM, Vieth M, Gabbert H, Enderle M, Neugebauer A, Schumacher B, Neuhaus H. A randomised trial of endoscopic submucosal dissection versus endoscopic mucosal resection for early Barrett's neoplasia. Gut. 2017 May;66(5):783-793. doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2015-310126. Epub 2016 Jan 22.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: December 1, 2012
• Primary Completion (ACTUAL): May 1, 2014
• Study Completion (ACTUAL): August 1, 2015

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: May 12, 2013
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 5, 2013
• First Posted (ESTIMATE): June 7, 2013

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (ESTIMATE): September 9, 2015
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 7, 2015
• Last Verified: September 1, 2015

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: endoscopy; EMR; WESD
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Neoplasms by Histologic Type; Neoplasms; Carcinoma; Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial; Adenocarcinoma
• Other Study ID Numbers: EVKendo2013