Eosinophilic Esophagitis Clinical Trials and Treatments

Eosinophilic Esophagitis is a chronic allergic/immune-mediated inflammatory disease of the esophagus characterized by eosinophil-predominant infiltration of esophageal mucosa and submucosa. The pathophysiology involves T helper 2 (Th2)-mediated immune response to food and/or environmental antigens, with characteristic eosinophil recruitment and degranulation. Histologic diagnosis requires 15 or more eosinophils per high-powered field on esophageal biopsy and exclusion of other conditions causing esophageal eosinophilia.

The most common symptoms of Eosinophilic Esophagitis include Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) with food impaction, Chest pain or sensation of food being stuck, Nausea and vomiting, Regurgitation of undigested food, Abdominal pain, among others. About 142.5 per 100,000 people in the United States, about 1 in 700 or an estimated 472,380 people, in a 2025 insurance claims study (Thel et al., Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2025). Symptoms can range from mild to severe and may vary between individuals.

Trial Friend lists all active clinical trials for Eosinophilic Esophagitis from ClinicalTrials.gov, with eligibility criteria translated into plain English. Patients can filter by trial phase and recruitment status, search by location, and use the Match Me tool to score trials against their profile. Treatment for Eosinophilic Esophagitis combines targeted biologic therapies with dietary and lifestyle approaches to control inflammation and prevent stricturing. Topical corticosteroids provide local control, while targeted biologic therapies offer systemic approaches.

Yes. As of October 21, 2026, 2 FDA-approved medicines have a current label that names Eosinophilic Esophagitis: Dupixent (dupilumab); and Eohilia (budesonide). Corticosteroids and immune globulins count once each.

The exact cause of Eosinophilic Esophagitis is not fully understood. It is not caused by a single gene; inherited variants raise risk, and immune, environmental or other triggers are thought to set it off. Allergic/immune condition; risk genes such as CAPN14 and TSLP shift susceptibility but there is no diagnostic gene test. Risk to relatives is under 5%. About 142.5 per 100,000 people in the United States, about 1 in 700 or an estimated 472,380 people, in a 2025 insurance claims study (Thel et al., Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2025). Research is ongoing to better understand the disease mechanism.

No single gene test diagnoses Eosinophilic Esophagitis. The diagnosis rests on clinical findings and laboratory or imaging results; genetic variants shift risk rather than cause the disease. Allergic/immune condition; risk genes such as CAPN14 and TSLP shift susceptibility but there is no diagnostic gene test. Risk to relatives is under 5%.

Some trials collect genetic samples for research or check specific risk markers. The Genetic Testing section of this page shows any tests listed in the NIH Genetic Testing Registry, which for this condition are usually research or risk-marker tests rather than diagnostic ones.

Eligibility for Eosinophilic Esophagitis clinical trials depends on factors like age, diagnosis, treatment history, and overall health. Each trial sets its own inclusion and exclusion criteria. Trial Friend translates these requirements from medical language into plain English so patients can review them more easily. The Match Me tool can score your profile against active trials to help identify studies that may be a fit.

Participating in a Eosinophilic Esophagitis clinical trial typically involves scheduled visits, medical tests, and close monitoring by a research team. Depending on the study phase, you may receive an investigational treatment, a placebo, or the current standard of care. Trials may last from a few weeks to several years. Study participation is voluntary, and you can withdraw at any time.