EGID Program Research

The Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Diseases (EGID) Program has a robust research program. In addition to participation in clinical trials, the members of EGID team collaborate with other institutions to advance basic and clinical research in EGIDs. 

For questions regarding research within the EGID Program, please contact our research coordinators Katie Keeley at kkeeley@luriechildrens.org or Estefania Espinosa at esespinosa@luriechildrens.org. 

The Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Diseases (EGID) Program has several active studies at the present time including those listed below.

Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disorders Registry

This study prospectively enrolls patients with suspected and previously diagnosed Eosinophilic Esophagitis seen at Lurie Children’s to better understand EoE subtypes, mast cell activation, and biomarkers of disease activity and treatment response. The study collects clinical information such as demographics, diet, medical and atopic history, family history, and lab/allergy testing. At the time of endoscopy, validated symptom and quality of life questionnaires are completed, and endoscopic scoring is recorded by an EoE-specialized endoscopist. Histologic scoring is performed by a GI pathologist: Dr. Nicoleta Arva, MD, PhD. Mast cell density and degranulation, along with T-cell density is assessed by semi-automated quantification utilizing artificial intelligence and machine learning. We collect additional biopsies and blood at the time of endoscopy. The blood specimens will be utilized to validate a biomarker panel for EoE disease activity, while the biopsies are banked, and analyzed live in the laboratory of Dr. Joshua B. Wechsler. The laboratory studies to analyze biopsies include flow cytometric analysis (FACS), single cell and bulk transcriptomics. The overall goal of Dr. Wechsler’s studies is to understand the role of mast cells in driving endoscopic and histologic changes and symptoms in EoE, along with T-cell-associated biomarkers of food-specific inflammation triggers.

Consortium of Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Researchers (CEGIR)

Lurie Children’s is a participating site in the Outcome Measures for Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Diseases Across Ages (OMEGA) study, part of Consortium of Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Researchers (CEGIR). This is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health.

Read about OMEGA here and here.

Read about CEGIR

Clinical Trials 

Not currently recruiting for clinical trials