The NHS pilot, which assessed over 8,500 patients using the ‘capsule sponge test’, demonstrated that nearly eight out of ten patients who underwent the test were discharged without the need for further examinations. This has notably freed up endoscopy resources for patients at a higher risk and those urgently needing tests for oesophageal cancer.

The procedure entails patients swallowing a diminutive capsule-like device containing a tiny sponge designed to collect cell samples for analysis. Following collection, the sponge is retrieved through a string thread attached to it. The innovative test was developed by Professor Rebecca Fitzgerald, Director of the Early Cancer Institute at the University of Cambridge.

Professor Fitzgerald expressed her enthusiasm about the NHS England’s real-world pilot’s positive outcomes for the capsule-sponge test. She remarked, “It is tremendously exciting to witness the favourable results of the NHS England real-world pilot for our capsule-sponge test. This marks a significant advancement in making this straightforward test more widely available beyond clinical trials. Prompt diagnosis is crucial for enhancing patient outcomes.”

Barrett’s oesophagus, a condition affecting the oesophagus that may lead to oesophageal cancer in some patients, is typically diagnosed or excluded through an endoscopy following a referral from a GP to a gastroenterologist or another specialist capable of performing the procedure.

The sponge-on-a-string test trialled by the NHS offers a quick and non-sedative alternative during a brief appointment.

Amanda Pritchard, Chief Executive of the NHS, stated, “Thousands have now benefited from this incredibly efficient test within the NHS – whilst the sponge on a string is compact in size, it can significantly impact patients – allowing them to conveniently incorporate the test into their day. It often obviates the need for an endoscopy whilst also aiding in reducing waiting lists by freeing up staff and resources.”

In a survey conducted among over 250 patients who had undergone the capsule sponge test, many reported they would recommend the test to friends or family, with 94% experiencing only mild or no discomfort whatsoever.

The NHS initiated the test pilot during the pandemic amid heightened service pressures and a growing backlog for endoscopies.

Gastro-oesophageal reflux, or acid reflux, affects approximately one to two in every ten individuals to some extent, with some of these individuals potentially having or developing Barrett’s oesophagus, a precursor to oesophageal cancer.

There are around 9,300 new cases of oesophageal cancer in the UK annually. Detecting Barrett’s oesophagus at an earlier stage before it becomes cancerous is key to saving lives.

The NHS pilot was launched across 30 hospital sites in 17 areas in England, including Manchester, Plymouth, London, Kent, and Cumbria. The evaluation of the pilot indicated that the capsule sponge is highly cost-effective compared to using only endoscopy for diagnosis, saving approximately £400 per patient.

Patients with positive results from the capsule sponge test referred for an endoscopy had a 27.2% prevalence of Barrett’s oesophagus, compared to none among patients with negative results who completed an endoscopy.

One of the first pilot sites, at East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, has now conducted around 1,400 capsule sponge tests – offered to patients with reflux symptoms through a new consultant-led, nurse-run early diagnosis service, as well as to patients on an existing Barrett’s surveillance programme.

In the first 1,000 patients, the capsule test identified Barrett’s in 6% of patients with reflux symptoms and discovered two new cancers and three cases of dysplasia, potentially hastening the diagnosis time. Furthermore, 72% of patients with reflux symptoms were discharged back to their GP without the need for an endoscopy.

As of January, 368 patients have had a positive test result, approximately half of whom have confirmed Barrett’s oesophagus.

Dr Danielle Morris, a consultant gastroenterologist at East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, commented, “Employing the capsule sponge test as a diagnostic triage tool has provided immense benefits for patients, avoiding the necessity for an unnecessary gastroscopy in almost seven out of ten patients, and assisting in reducing endoscopy waiting lists. This enables us to prioritise those who truly require an endoscopy to have it conducted promptly.

“The test is performed by a single trained practitioner in an outpatient setting, making it significantly resource-efficient compared to a gastroscopy. Our patients are very supportive of the service – with nearly nine out of ten patients favouring the capsule sponge over a gastroscopy.”

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The post NHS Chief Executive Amanda Pritchard: Cambridge’s Latest Capsule Sponge Test Puts Oesophageal Cancer Further at Bay! first appeared on The Icons.

《The Icons》is  pleased to have the opportunity to talk with Prof. Pietro Liò in an exclusive interview. Prof. Liò talked about the importance of AI in bioinformatics, the development of new deep learning models, and how they can help us to better understand diseases and improve treatment for individuals.

Prof. Liò began by explaining how AI can be used to analyze complex datasets of biological molecules, proteins, and genes. He mentioned that computational biology and AI can be used to integrate and analyze enormous amounts of data from different sources, including genetic profiling, medical images, and electronic medical records. By analyzing this data systematically, we can identify new biomarkers, discover new drug targets, and develop better therapies.

Prof. Liò also talked about the potential benefits of personalized and precision medicine. He explained that by using computational models, we can better identify individuals who are at a higher risk of developing a certain disease and develop targeted therapies that are tailored to their genetic makeup and medical history.

“Precision medicine is a way of mapping the individual’s genome and using that information to customize their treatment. By identifying the genetic makeup of an individual, we can determine which treatment is best suited for them and which treatments to avoid,” Prof. Liò says. He further adds, “Personalized medicine goes beyond treating the disease and looks at the individual’s social, environmental, and behavioral factors that contribute to the disease. These factors can also be analyzed using AI models to provide a more holistic approach to treatment.”

Prof. Liò’s work in computational biology has already yielded impressive results. His team has developed machine learning models that can predict the risk of complications in diabetic patients and identify patients who are at risk of breast cancer recurrence. They have also developed a predictive model that can identify immunotherapy responders in cancer patients.

In conclusion, Prof. Liò believes that AI and computational biology have the potential to completely revolutionize the way we approach medical treatment, from diagnosis to personalized treatment plans. His work is focused on developing new models that can help us to better understand the complex mechanisms of diseases and develop customized treatments that are tailored to individual patients.

Pietro Liò is a Professor at the Department of Computer Science and Technology of the University of Cambridge, UK, and is also a member of the Cambridge Centre for AI in Medicine. He obtained two Ph.D. degrees in complex systems and nonlinear dynamics from the University of Firenze, Italy, and in theoretical genetics from the University of Pavia, Italy. His research interests include the development of artificial intelligence and computational biology models aimed at understanding disease complexity and addressing personalized and precision medicine.

The post A Member of the Cambridge Centre for AI in Medicine Prof. Pietro Liò: AI is the Next Navigator for Human Health! first appeared on The Icons.