The Fulness Trial (Fundus mUcosaL abLation aNd Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty)

A Pilot Study to Evaluate the Impact of Gastric Mucosal Ablation (GMA) of the Fundus With Hybrid Argon Plasma Coagulation (HybridAPC) Combined With Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG) on Obesity

Ablation of the gastric fundus mucosa with hybrid argon plasma coagulation (HYBRIDAPC) in obese patients undergoing ESG could result in restoration of ghrelin cell function in the gastric fundus. This could improve long-term outcomes in terms of body weight loss and comorbidity reduction in obese patients undergoing ESG.

Obesity is one of the most prevalent diseases worldwide with a major impact on the health care system in many countries. Bariatric surgery is currently the first treatment option in obese patients because it offers lasting results on body weight loss and reduces disease-related comorbidities. In recent years, however, endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) has emerged as a safe and effective method in treating obese patients. Considering the lower complication rate compared with bariatric surgery and the greater weight loss compared with medical therapy, ESG finds indication as a treatment in cases of class I and II obesity. In cases of BMI > 40 or higher, bariatric surgery is actually the best option to achieve lasting weight loss but may be burdened by significant morbidity and mortality related to the surgery itself. Ghrelin is a potent oressigenic hormone produced and secreted mainly by the endocrine cells of the gastric glands at the bottom of the stomach and acts in the brain to regulate food intake. Gastric ghrelin plays a key role in glucose metabolism. Obese patients generally show reduced levels of ghrelin and a high percentage of these patients are insulin-resistant, have high circulating levels of insulin, hyperglycemia or diabetes. Through gene expression data and electron microscopy the activity of GPCs (ghrelin-like cells) could be increased in obese patients and correlates with glycemic levels. A positive correlation has been suggested between ghrelin gene expression, glycemic values and body mass index in obese patients. Taken together, these data indicate that ghrelin overproduction by the stomach may be involved in the weight gain and pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes in obese patients. This study aims to demonstrate how further ablation of the gastric fundus mucosa with hybrid argon plasma coagulation (HYBRIDAPC) in obese patients undergoing ESG could result in restoration of ghrelin cell function in the gastric fundus. Indeed, HybridAPC could stimulate fundus stem cells to produce new ghrelin-secreting endocrine cells with normal secretory activity as in lean subjects. Thus normalizing ghrelin signaling to appetite/hunger areas in the brain relayed through the gut brain axis. This could improve long-term outcomes in terms of body weight loss and comorbidity reduction in obese patients undergoing ESG.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 1. Male or females patients in the range of class Class I to Class II obesity (30 ≤ BMI ≤ 39.9).
• Age between 18 and 65 years (both inclusive).
• Treatment naïve for bariatric surgery or endoscopic bariatric therapy.
• Patients that have been evaluated by the local MDT and have indication to ESG.
• Willingness to comply with the substantial behavioral modifications program as required by the procedure.
• Agree to avoid any use of weight loss medications such as Meridia, Saxenda, Januvia, Xenical, or over the counter weight loss medications or supplements throughout the study.
• Women of childbearing potential should have negative urine beta human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) pregnancy test and must agree to use acceptable contraception methods throughout the study duration.
• Able to comply with study requirements and understand and sign the Informed Consent Form.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Previous upper GI surgery (except uncomplicated cholecystectomy or appendectomy), or other endoscopic bariatric procedures or conditions,
• Prior intra-gastric balloon or another gastric implant.
• History of a structural or functional disorder of the esophagus or pharynx that may impede passage of the device such as achalasia, stricture/stenosis, esophageal varices, esophageal diverticula, esophageal perforation, severe or intractable gastro-esophageal reflux symptoms while on maximal medical therapy, uncontrolled GERD defined as LA grade C esophagitis or greater.
• History of a structural or functional disorder of the stomach including gastric polyps > 1 cm in size, gastroparesis, gastric ulcer, gastric cancer, chronic gastritis, gastric varices, hiatal hernia (>4 cm) of axial displacement of the z-line above the diaphragm.
• Active H. pylori infection (subjects with active H. pylori may continue with the screening process if they are treated with an appropriate antibiotic regimen, and eradication has been confirmed).
• Patients with history of intestinal stricture/stenosis, small bowel or colonic obstruction or any other obstructive disorder of the GI tract such as adhesive peritonitis and/or abdominal adhesions.
• Patients with any inflammatory disease (IBD).
• Autoimmune disease, including but not limited to celiac disease, or pre-existing symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma or other autoimmune connective tissue disorder.
• Active hepatitis, active liver disease, hepatic insufficiency , or cirrhosis.
• Untreated/inadequately treated hypothyroidism, defined as an elevated Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) level at Screening; if on thyroid hormone replacement therapy, must be on stable dose for at least 6 weeks prior to Screening.
• Patients with PCOS (hormonal dis-balances).
• Persistent Anemia, defined as Hemoglobin <10 g/dL.
• Significant cardiovascular disease including known history of valvular disease, or myocardial infarction, heart failure, transient ischemic attack or stroke within the last 6 months.
• Moderate or severe chronic kidney disease (CKD), with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <45 ml/min/1.73m2 (estimated by MDRD).
• Known immunocompromised status, including but not limited to individuals who have undergone organ transplantation, chemotherapy or radiotherapy within the past 12 months, who have clinically-significant leukopenia, who are positive for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or whose immune status makes the subject a poor candidate for clinical trial participation in the opinion of the Investigator.
• HbA1c > 8.5 %.
• Patients requiring exogenous insulin.
• Use of glucose-lowering drugs for diabetes mellitus treatment with the exception of sulfonylurea (SU), biguanides and sodium dependent glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors.
• Coagulopathy, congenital or acquired intestinal telangiectasia.
• Use of systemic glucocorticoids (excluding topical or ophthalmic application or inhaled forms) for more than 10 consecutive days within 90 days prior to the Screening Visit.
• Pregnant or breast-feeding woman.
• Patients with history or current abuse of drugs or alcohol.
• Patients who are taking medications that cause weight loss such as Meridia, Saxenda, Januvia, Xenical, or over the counter weight loss medications or supplements throughout the study.
• Patients who are taking medication that cause weight gain such as anti-depressants
• Psychiatric or cooperative problems or low compliance that is a contraindication from participating in the study.
• Any health issue that might put the patient at risk if the treatment is performed, judged by the investigator.