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First molecular test to diagnose eosinophilic esophagitis

Date:
November 21, 2013
Source:
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Summary:
Researchers have developed the first molecular test to diagnose eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), a chronic upper gastrointestinal disorder. The incidence of EoE has skyrocketed since it was first characterized two decades ago.
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Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have developed the first molecular test to diagnose eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), a chronic upper gastrointestinal disorder. The incidence of EoE has skyrocketed since it was first characterized two decades ago.

The test, based on a 96 gene expression profile, "offers an unprecedented opportunity to improve diagnosis and treatment, and a platform approach for other inflammatory diseases," says Marc Rothenberg, MD, PhD, director of allergy and immunology at Cincinnati Children's and senior author of the study. Up to now, gene expression profiling has not yet been well applied to inflammatory diseases, he says.

The study is published in the Dec. issue of the journal Gastroenterology. The lead author of the study is Ting Wen, PhD, a researcher in the Rothenberg lab at Cincinnati Children's.

The researchers used bioinformatics tools to develop the EoE diagnostic panel, which is composed of a 96 gene PCR array -- considered the most reliable tool for analyzing the expression of a focused panel of genes.

The panel was developed from a set of esophageal biopsy samples from children diagnosed with EoE and from some children who do not have EoE. The researchers applied the panel to 148 children and adults with EoE and found it identified patients with approximately 96 percent sensitivity and 98 percent specificity. The diagnostic panel was also able to distinguish patients in remission from those who did not have EoE.

The researchers have preliminary evidence that the panel could identify patients likely to have disease relapse following treatment.

"We aimed to provide a reliable next-generation diagnosis of eosinophilic esophagitis, and to offer a component of personalized medicine to each patient," says Dr. Wen. "We hope to ease the suffering of every child with EoE."

EoE is characterized by a large number of white blood cells called eosinophils in the esophagus -- the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. The disease is caused by food allergies and possibly airborne allergens as well. Symptoms typically resemble gastro esophageal reflux but do not get better with anti-reflux medications. These symptoms may include trouble swallowing, vomiting, abdominal pain, and food getting stuck in the esophagus.


Story Source:

Materials provided by Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Ting Wen, Emily M. Stucke, Tommie M. Grotjan, Katherine A. Kemme, J. Pablo Abonia, Philip E. Putnam, James P. Franciosi, Jose M. Garza, Ajay Kaul, Eileen C. King, Margaret H. Collins, Jonathan P. Kushner, Marc E. Rothenberg. Molecular Diagnosis of Eosinophilic Esophagitis by Gene Expression Profiling. Gastroenterology, 2013; 145 (6): 1289 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2013.08.046

Cite This Page:

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. "First molecular test to diagnose eosinophilic esophagitis." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 21 November 2013. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/11/131121130210.htm>.
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. (2013, November 21). First molecular test to diagnose eosinophilic esophagitis. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 18, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/11/131121130210.htm
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. "First molecular test to diagnose eosinophilic esophagitis." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/11/131121130210.htm (accessed March 18, 2024).

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