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Collects tissue and blood samples from people with Barrett's esophagus or esophageal cancer

Collects tissue and blood samples from people with Barrett's esophagus or esophageal cancer.

Key facts

Who runs it
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Where
Chapel Hill, United StatesSee the site
Trial code
Registry title
University of North Carolina (UNC) Barrett's Esophagus and Esophageal Cancer Biorepository
Status
Enrolling by invitation
People taking part
1,000 people, planned
Started
28 Apr 2015
Expected to end
May 2028
Type of study
Observational, 5 groups
Treatments tested
  • Specimen Collection
Record updated
24 June 2026

Who can take part

AI summary

From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.

The trial is looking for adults who have, or once had, Barrett's Esophagus or esophageal cancer and come to UNC hospitals for a routine upper endoscopy. They give biopsy and blood samples for research.

Age
18 years and older
Sex
Men and women
Disease stage
Current or previous Barrett's Esophagus, with or without dysplasia, or current or previous esophageal cancer (esophageal adenocarcinoma, intramucosal carcinoma, or squamous cell carcinoma).
Earlier treatment
People taking blood thinners (coumadin, warfarin, clopidogrel, heparin, low molecular weight heparin) must stop them 5 days before and 6 days after the EGD, or have them stopped in line with standard clinical practice.

Main reasons for not taking part

  • Cannot read or understand English
  • Currently in prison
  • Currently taking blood thinners that have not been stopped as required
  • Known bleeding disorder

The registry criteria, word for word

Show all 9 criteriaShow less

Who can take part

  • Male or female aged 18 and older
  • Able to read, comprehend, and complete the informed consent form
  • Presenting to UNC hospitals for routine care upper endoscopy for their condition
  • Meet one of the following:; Current or previous diagnosis of Barrett's Esophagus (BE) with or without dysplasia OR; Current or previous diagnosis of esophageal cancer (including esophageal adenocarcinoma, intramucosal carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma)
  • Willing to undergo biopsy and blood collection for research purposes

Who cannot take part

  • Current use of blood thinners such as coumadin, warfarin, clopidogrel, heparin and/or low molecular weight heparin (requires discontinuation of medication 5 days prior to and 6 days after esophagogastroduodenoscopy [EGD] and/or ensuring blood thinners have been stopped within an appropriate time frame for that specific agent and in accordance with standard clinical practice)
  • Known bleeding disorder
  • Unable to read or understand English
  • Current incarceration

Where in United States

  • UNC- Chapel HillChapel Hill, United StatesEnrolling by invitation

About the trial

What the trial wants to find out

Aim 1: To develop a prospective tissue and blood biorepository from patients with a history of Barrett's Esophagus (BE) or esophageal cancer (ECA) presenting to UNC hospitals for routine care upper endoscopy for their condition.

Read full original descriptionShow less

Aim 2: To collect clinical data from patients with a history of Barrett's Esophagus (BE) or esophageal cancer (ECA) that includes demographic data, endoscopic procedure data, and pathology data.

Aim 3: To integrate Aim 1 and 2 in a manner that will provide an efficient bi-directional flow of clinical information and specimens between laboratory and clinical scientists in order to foster innovative translational research.

Aim 4: To create a biorepository for future Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved studies that have tissue and/or blood specimen component.

The 5 groups in the trial

  • Barrett's Esophagus (BE) Surveillance

    Patients who have never received ablative therapy for Barrett's Esophagus and are receiving routine care surveillance upper endoscopy for their condition. Subjects will have esophageal biopsies, blood, and data collected for this study.

    Treatment: Specimen Collection

  • Barrett's Esophagus (BE) Pre-Ablation

    Patients who are receiving routine care upper endoscopy with ablative therapy for their Barrett's Esophagus for the first time. Subjects will have esophageal biopsies, blood, and data collected for this study.

    Treatment: Specimen Collection

  • Barrett's Esophagus (BE) Post-Ablation

    Patients with a history of Barrett's Esophagus who are status post ablation and are receiving routine care follow-up EGD for their condition. Subjects will have esophageal biopsies, blood, and data collected for this study.

    Treatment: Specimen Collection

  • Esophageal Cancer(ECA/IMC)

    Patients with esophageal cancer who are receiving routine care upper endoscopy for their condition. Subjects will have esophageal biopsies, blood, and data collected for this study.

    Treatment: Specimen Collection

  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)

    Patients with squamous cell cancer of the esophagus who are receiving routine care upper endoscopy for their condition. Subjects will have esophageal biopsies, blood, and data collected for this study.

    Treatment: Specimen Collection

Questions to ask the study team

  1. How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
  2. Are travel costs paid?
  3. Can I keep my own doctor?
  4. What happens if I want to stop?

Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations

Print a page for my doctor

Data and sources

Registry record
Listed on ClinicalTrials.gov.
Official title
UNC Barrett's Esophagus and Esophageal Cancer Biorepository
Plain-language title
Collects tissue and blood samples from people with Barrett's esophagus or esophageal cancerGenerated from the registry record. The registry title is the official one.
AI summary
From the trial's eligibility criteria. Read by machine on 12 November 2026.
Record updated
24 June 2026