CDx Diagnostics, Inc., developer of the WATS3D AI Platform for the detection and surveillance of Barrett's esophagus (BE) and dysplasia, today announced the publication of a new study, Adjunctive Use of WATS-3D In Symptomatic GERD Patients Increases Detection of Barrett’s Esophagus and Dysplasia, in The American Journal of Gastroenterology. The pivotal study highlighted WATS3D's significant impact on improving precancer detection during GERD screenings. Adding WATS3D to these screenings resulted in the identification of 20% more Barrett's cases and doubled dysplasia diagnoses vs. biopsy alone. The WATS3D diagnosis influenced the clinical management of over 90% of patients based on findings missed by forceps. Strikingly, 1 in 5 patients would have been unaware of their precancerous Barrett's esophagus condition without WATS3D.



The study, led by Nicholas J Shaheen, MD et al., evaluated 23,933 patients, where WATS3D identified intestinal metaplasia in 19.3% and, of 240 patients with dysplasia, 107 (44.6%) that were missed by forceps biopsy. WATS3D demonstrated 76.5% adjunctive and 18.1% absolute yield in the detection of IM in patients with endoscopic BE criteria. This resulted in care plans changing in 90.7% of WATS3D positive but biopsy negative cases.

Pivotal Multi-Center Study Highlights AI Platform's Powerful Diagnostic Impact and Ability to Enhance Patient Outcomes.
"Compared to forceps biopsy alone, WATS3D identified around 20% more Barrett's cases that would've been missed. We also observed nearly double the dysplasia diagnoses,” said lead author, Dr. Shaheen, Chief, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine at Chapel Hill.



"This represents our largest clinical study of WATS3D to date and one of the most impactful," said Duane Dorn, CDx COO. "The landmark findings highlight how our AI imaging technology can effectively transform early detection rates and empower physicians to intervene before progression to esophageal cancer. Improving patient lives through earlier detection is the driving force behind our innovations."

Patients with GERD frequently show columnar-lined epithelium, but forceps biopsies often fail to confirm intestinal metaplasia. WATS3D leverages AI and 3D imaging to reliably identify precancerous cells, providing actionable insights to guide BE management.

Visit us at the Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2024 Annual Meeting, being held May 18-21, in Washington DC, Booth #3807, or online at  WATS3D.com to learn more.