EMERALD in the making? A promising blood-based microRNA panel to detect oesophageal adenocarcinoma and Barrett’s oesophagus (Gut)

Despite guidelines recommending screening for esophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC) and its precursor, Barrett’s esophagus (BO), uptake remains low due to the invasive nature and cost of endoscopy. Emerging non-endoscopic, swallowable cell collection devices combined with biomarker analysis have shown promising accuracy and safety, leading to their inclusion in screening guidelines. Pragmatic trials indicate patient interest, with up to 60% favoring capsule sponge-based screening, suggesting that minimally invasive alternatives could significantly enhance early detection and intervention efforts.