Hybrid APC a potential new technique for treating neoplastic Barrett's esophagus: Study

Germany: Hybrid argon plasma coagulation (H-APC) seems to have a similar overall outcome as radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in patients with neoplastic Barrett's esophagus (BE), suggests a recent study. Results, published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology showed eradication rates of BE after endoscopic resection as well as recurrence rates to be similar to those associated with radiofrequency ablation. 

The current therapy of neoplastic BE is comprised of endoscopic resection plus ablation, radiofrequency being the best studies technique. Mate Knabe, Departments of Internal Medicine II, Sana Hospital, Offenbach, Germany, and colleagues aimed to systematically assess the efficacy and safety of a potential alternative, namely H-APC in the combined therapy of neoplastic BE (BE-N) in a prospective trial. 

The trial, conducted across 9 European centers included consecutive patients with neoplastic BE undergoing ablation after curative endoscopic resection (89.6%) or primarily. For complete eradication of (initial complete eradication of intestinal metaplasia [CE-IM]), by definition including BE-associated neoplasia up to 5 ablation sessions were allowed. 

Up to 5 ablation sessions were allowed for complete eradication of BE (initial complete eradication of intestinal metaplasia [CE-IM]), by definition including BE-associated neoplasia, documented by 1 negative endoscopy with biopsies. This was documented by 1 negative endoscopy with biopsies. The main outcome was the rate of initial CE-IM in intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) samples at 2 years. 

The secondary endpoints were the rate of recurrence-free cases (sustained CE-IM) documented by negative follow-up endoscopies with biopsies and immediate/delayed adverse events. 

"Recurrence and eradication rates of Barrett's intestinal metaplasia and neoplasia through hybrid argon plasma coagulation at 2 years were found to be within expected ranges," wrote the authors.

"Final evidence in comparison to radiofrequency ablation can only be provided by a randomized comparative trial," they concluded. 

Reference:

Knabe, Mate MD1,2,*; Beyna, Torsten MD3,*; Rösch, Thomas MD4; Bergman, Jacques MD5; Manner, Hendrik MD6; May, Andrea MD1,7; Schachschal, Guido MD4; Neuhaus, Horst MD3; Kandler, Jennis MD3,8; Weusten, Bas MD9; Pech, Oliver MD10; Faiss, Siegbert MD11,12; Anders, Mario MD13; Vieth, Michael MD14; Sehner, Susanne MSc15; Bisschops, Raf MD16; Bhandari, Pradeep MD17; Ell, Christian MD1; Ehlken, Hanno MD4 Hybrid APC in Combination With Resection for the Endoscopic Treatment of Neoplastic Barrett's Esophagus: A Prospective, Multicenter Study, The American Journal of Gastroenterology: November 30, 2021 - Volume - Issue - 10.14309/ajg.0000000000001539 doi: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000001539