A capsule sponge-on-string (SOS) device that could be administered by a nurse detects biomarkers associated with Barrett’s oesophagus, researchers report.

In a previous study the US group identified and validated methylated DNA markers that were candidates for detecting Barrett’s oesophagus.

They pilot-tested the most promising markers for the non-endoscopic diagnosis of the condition, using DNA extracted from cells taken from a 25mm SOS device swallowed by the patient and retrieved a few minutes later.

In the current study, they assessed the accuracy of the markers for nonendoscopic detection of the condition using the SOS device and a recently validated commercial grade assay in 268 participants, including 112 with Barrett’s oesophagus, 89 controls and 67 with indeterminate findings on endoscopy.