Capsule-sponge test could replace endoscopy in surveillance of low-risk Barrett’s esophagus (Healio)

A new study in The Lancet suggests that a simple capsule-sponge test could safely replace endoscopy for low-risk patients with Barrett’s esophagus—potentially cutting the need for invasive surveillance by half. By identifying cellular biomarkers through a non-endoscopic swab of the esophagus, researchers stratified patients into risk tiers with high accuracy. With a 97.8% negative predictive value in low-risk individuals and up to 85% cancer detection in ultra–high-risk cases, this test may dramatically reduce unnecessary procedures while focusing endoscopy resources where they matter most.