Pancreatic CancerNCT02872831
Beacon BNX™ Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)-Needle vs SharkCore™ Needle
A study testing 22G SharkCore™ needle and 22G BNX EUS-FNA Needle in people with Pancreatic Cancer and Lymphadenopathy, run by Thomas Jefferson University at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The primary objective of this proposed prospective randomized, multi-center study is to evaluate the capability of the new 22G SharkCore™ needle to obtain tissue specimens and to compare its performance against the standard 22G BNX Endoscopic Ultrasound Fine needle aspiration (Beacon Endoscopic, Newton, MA) needle in… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Pancreatic Cancer, Lymphadenopathy, Cholangiocarcinoma
- What is being tested?
- 22G SharkCore™ needle and 22G BNX EUS-FNA Needle
- Type of treatment
- Pill or oral medicine, Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 0 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- Jul 2016to Nov 2017
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Eligible patients will include anyone >18 years old that presents to the participating clinical institutions and requires an endosonographic evaluation for the presence of a solid-appearing mass lesion amenable to EUS access, and no contraindication to FNA as determined by standard clinical care
Who cannot join
- Refusal to participate in the study
- Solid-appearing mass lesion that in not amenable to EUS guided needle access for tissue acquisition
- Patients with incomplete medical records
- Pregnant patients
- Prisoners
- INR > 1.5
- Platelets < 50,000
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107
About this study
Official title: Prospective Randomized Study of Utilizing the 22-gauge Standard FNA Needle Compared to the SharkCore™ 22-gauge Fine Needle Biopsy (FNB) Needle in Patients With Solid Mass Lesions of the Gastrointestinal Tract
The primary objective of this proposed prospective randomized, multi-center study is to evaluate the capability of the new 22G SharkCore™ needle to obtain tissue specimens and to compare its performance against the standard 22G BNX Endoscopic Ultrasound Fine needle aspiration (Beacon Endoscopic, Newton, MA) needle in the evaluation of solid mass lesions in the pancreas and gastrointestinal tract. The secondary objective is to determine the ability of the 22G SharkCore™ needle system to yield histologic tissue.
Read the detailed description
Rationale:
A tissue core biopsy with preserved architecture is critical to diagnose and fully characterize certain neoplasms, such as lymphomas and GI stromal tumors (GIST). Moreover, tissue specimens for histologic examination also provides the opportunity to immunostain the tissue, further increasing differential diagnostic capabilities; reach a specific diagnosis for benign diseases not always obtainable with a cytological sample, thus sparing patients from more invasive and risky sampling procedures or costly and unnecessary follow-up examinations; perform tissue profiling and/or cell culture needed to guide targeted therapies for individualized treatment of patients with cancer of the GI tract.
There has previously been no needle available on the market that can accurately and consistently acquire EUS-guided histologic tissue from solid gastrointestinal lesions. Covidien has recently released a novel SharkCore™ Fine Needle Biopsy (FNB) system for EUS-guided tissue acquisition of solid gastrointestinal lesions. With its unique bevel design, this needle has shown promising results to acquire histologic tissue as per oral communication with physicians around the country (Douglas Adler and Christopher DiMaio).
Currently, there is no published clinical data on the capability of the SharkCore™ needle to obtain specimens via EUS guidance. The rationale of the currently proposed trial is to assess the operating characteristics SharkCore™ needle system and to determine the ability of this needle system to yield histologic tissue.
Medtronic Inc. has provided us with an unrestricted grant in order to evaluate the capability of the new 22G SharkCore™ needle to obtain tissue specimens and to compare its performance against the standard 22G BNX EUS-FNA.
Primary Objectives The primary objective of this proposed prospective randomized, multi-center study is to evaluate the capability of the new 22G SharkCore™ needle to obtain tissue specimens and to compare its performance against the standard 22G BNX Endoscopic Ultrasound Fine needle aspiration (Beacon Endoscopic, Newton, MA) needle in the evaluation of solid mass lesions in the pancreas and gastrointestinal tract. The secondary objective is to determine the ability of the 22G SharkCore™ needle system to yield histologic tissue.
Study Design We propose a prospective comparative study (22G SharkCore™ needle versus the 22G BNX EUS-FNA needle) randomized (randomization of the order of the needles) in crossover (on the same lesion) in samples of solid pancreatic and gastrointestinal tumors. Up to 6 sites in the United States will enroll the patients. The respective institutional investigators will review serious adverse events throughout the study. No interim analysis is planned.
- Conditions
- Pancreatic Cancer, Lymphadenopathy, Cholangiocarcinoma
- Being tested
- 22G SharkCore™ needle, 22G BNX EUS-FNA Needle
- Keywords
- Fine needle aspiration
- Medical subject headings
- Pancreatic Neoplasms, Lymphadenopathy, Cholangiocarcinoma
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
22G SharkCore™ needleDevice
The 2 dedicated passes from the SharkCore™ needle will be placed in a jar with formaldehyde-based fixative and sent for routine histopathology evaluation. The cassette will be processed, embedded in paraffin, and then prepared in hematoxylin and eosin to be evaluated by one pathologist, who was blinded to the randomization sequence, for the presence of a histologic tissue. If adequate histologic tissue is present, the specimen will be graded as optimal or suboptimal.
22G BNX EUS-FNA NeedleDevice
Aspirates will be placed onto glass slides and preserved with Diff-Quik stain (American Scientific Products, McGraw Park, Illinois, USA). In addition, a smear will also be placed in alcohol for Papanicolaou staining. Any additional material was sprayed into Hanks's solution and sent for cell block processing. The cytology technician or cytopathologist on site will verify adequacy of specimens. At least two passes will be obtained from the lesion unless the technician established the presence of malignant appearing cells.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| 22G SharkCore™ needle | Active comparator | Covidien has recently released a novel SharkCore™ Fine Needle Biopsy (FNB) system for EUS-guided tissue acquisition of solid gastrointestinal lesions. With its unique bevel design, this needle has shown promising results to acquire histologic tissue as per oral communication with physicians around the country Receives: Device: 22G SharkCore™ needle |
| 22G BNX EUS-FNA needle | Active comparator | The standard 22G BNX Endoscopic Ultrasound Fine needle aspiration (Beacon Endoscopic, Newton, MA) needle is routinely used for the evaluation of solid mass lesions in the pancreas and gastrointestinal tract. Receives: Device: 22G BNX EUS-FNA Needle |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Diagnostic Accuracy of the 22G SharkCore™ and the 22G BNX EUS-FNA needle
The primary endpoint measures of the study is to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the 22G SharkCore™ needle system or the 22G BNX EUS-FNA needle for the diagnosis malignancy in solid lesions of the pancreas and gastrointestinal tract. Diagnostic accuracy of the EUS needles for the diagnosis of malignancy is calculated as the number of True Positives with malignancy +True Negatives with malignancy/True Positives with malignancy +True Negatives with malignancy +False Positives with malignancy +False Negatives with malignancy.
Measured: 12 months
Secondary outcomes (4)
Sensitivity of the EUS Needles
Sensitivity is expressed in percentage and defines the proportion of true positive subjects with malignancy in a total group of subjects with malignancy.
Measured: 12 months
Complications of the EUS Needles
Complications will be defined as any deviation from the clinical course after EUS-guided sampling as observed by the endosonographer or recovery suite nurse or as reported by patients. Excessive bleeding at the site of puncture, perforation, hypotension, and need for reversal medication will be documented.
Measured: 12 months
Diagnostic sufficiency of Tissue obtained by the EUS Needles
Diagnostic sufficiency is defined as the proportion of patients in whom an on-site diagnosis was established within 2 passes of the EUS needles
Measured: 12 months
Specificity of the 22G SharkCore™ needle and the 22G BNX EUS-FNA Needle for the diagnosis malignancy in solid lesions of the pancreas and gastrointestinal tract.
Specificity is defined as a proportion of subjects without the malignancy with negative test result in total of subjects without malignancy
Measured: 12 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted19 Aug 2016 (estimated)
- Study startJul 2016
- Primary completionJul 2017
- Study completionNov 2017
Why it stopped: Principal Investigator let the institution prior to study initiation.
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Pancreatic CancerStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Thomas Jefferson UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Investigator
- Enrolment
- 0 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Thomas Jefferson University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Ali Siddiqui, MD, Principal investigator, Thomas Jefferson University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT02872831
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 15G.533
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 25 Jul 2016
- Last updated
- 13 Apr 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 13 Apr 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Prospective Randomized Study of Utilizing the 22-gauge Standard FNA Needle Compared to the SharkCore™ 22-gauge Fine Needle Biopsy (FNB) Needle in Patients With Solid Mass Lesions of the Gastrointestinal Tract
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT02872831
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 15G.533
- Conditions
- Pancreatic Cancer, Lymphadenopathy, Cholangiocarcinoma
- Keywords
- Fine needle aspiration
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- WithdrawnReason stopped: Principal Investigator let the institution prior to study initiation.
- Enrolment
- 0 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Thomas Jefferson UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- Jul 2016 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Jul 2017 (actual)
- Study completion
- Nov 2017 (actual)
- First posted
- 19 Aug 2016 (estimated)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The primary objective of this proposed prospective randomized, multi-center study is to evaluate the capability of the new 22G SharkCore™ needle to obtain tissue specimens and to compare its performance against the standard 22G BNX Endoscopic Ultrasound Fine needle aspiration (Beacon Endoscopic, Newton, MA) needle in the evaluation of solid mass lesions in the pancreas and gastrointestinal tract. The secondary objective is to determine the ability of the 22G SharkCore™ needle system to yield histologic tissue.
Detailed description
Rationale:
A tissue core biopsy with preserved architecture is critical to diagnose and fully characterize certain neoplasms, such as lymphomas and GI stromal tumors (GIST). Moreover, tissue specimens for histologic examination also provides the opportunity to immunostain the tissue, further increasing differential diagnostic capabilities; reach a specific diagnosis for benign diseases not always obtainable with a cytological sample, thus sparing patients from more invasive and risky sampling procedures or costly and unnecessary follow-up examinations; perform tissue profiling and/or cell culture needed to guide targeted therapies for individualized treatment of patients with cancer of the GI tract.
There has previously been no needle available on the market that can accurately and consistently acquire EUS-guided histologic tissue from solid gastrointestinal lesions. Covidien has recently released a novel SharkCore™ Fine Needle Biopsy (FNB) system for EUS-guided tissue acquisition of solid gastrointestinal lesions. With its unique bevel design, this needle has shown promising results to acquire histologic tissue as per oral communication with physicians around the country (Douglas Adler and Christopher DiMaio).
Currently, there is no published clinical data on the capability of the SharkCore™ needle to obtain specimens via EUS guidance. The rationale of the currently proposed trial is to assess the operating characteristics SharkCore™ needle system and to determine the ability of this needle system to yield histologic tissue.
Medtronic Inc. has provided us with an unrestricted grant in order to evaluate the capability of the new 22G SharkCore™ needle to obtain tissue specimens and to compare its performance against the standard 22G BNX EUS-FNA.
Primary Objectives The primary objective of this proposed prospective randomized, multi-center study is to evaluate the capability of the new 22G SharkCore™ needle to obtain tissue specimens and to compare its performance against the standard 22G BNX Endoscopic Ultrasound Fine needle aspiration (Beacon Endoscopic, Newton, MA) needle in the evaluation of solid mass lesions in the pancreas and gastrointestinal tract. The secondary objective is to determine the ability of the 22G SharkCore™ needle system to yield histologic tissue.
Study Design We propose a prospective comparative study (22G SharkCore™ needle versus the 22G BNX EUS-FNA needle) randomized (randomization of the order of the needles) in crossover (on the same lesion) in samples of solid pancreatic and gastrointestinal tumors. Up to 6 sites in the United States will enroll the patients. The respective institutional investigators will review serious adverse events throughout the study. No interim analysis is planned.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (investigator)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| 22G SharkCore™ needle | Active comparator | Device: 22G SharkCore™ needleCovidien has recently released a novel SharkCore™ Fine Needle Biopsy (FNB) system for EUS-guided tissue acquisition of solid gastrointestinal lesions. With its unique bevel design, this needle has shown promising results to acquire histologic tissue as per oral communication with physicians around the country |
| 22G BNX EUS-FNA needle | Active comparator | Device: 22G BNX EUS-FNA NeedleThe standard 22G BNX Endoscopic Ultrasound Fine needle aspiration (Beacon Endoscopic, Newton, MA) needle is routinely used for the evaluation of solid mass lesions in the pancreas and gastrointestinal tract. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Eligible patients will include anyone >18 years old that presents to the participating clinical institutions and requires an endosonographic evaluation for the presence of a solid-appearing mass lesion amenable to EUS access, and no contraindication to FNA as determined by standard clinical care
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Refusal to participate in the study
- Solid-appearing mass lesion that in not amenable to EUS guided needle access for tissue acquisition
- Patients with incomplete medical records
- Pregnant patients
- Prisoners
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| 22G SharkCore™ needleThe 2 dedicated passes from the SharkCore™ needle will be placed in a jar with formaldehyde-based fixative and sent for routine histopathology evaluation. The cassette will be processed, embedded in paraffin, and then prepared in hematoxylin and eosin to be evaluated by one pathologist, who was blinded to the randomization sequence, for the presence of a histologic tissue. If adequate histologic tissue is present, the specimen will be graded as optimal or suboptimal. | Device | 22G SharkCore™ needle |
| 22G BNX EUS-FNA NeedleAspirates will be placed onto glass slides and preserved with Diff-Quik stain (American Scientific Products, McGraw Park, Illinois, USA). In addition, a smear will also be placed in alcohol for Papanicolaou staining. Any additional material was sprayed into Hanks's solution and sent for cell block processing. The cytology technician or cytopathologist on site will verify adequacy of specimens. At least two passes will be obtained from the lesion unless the technician established the presence of malignant appearing cells. | Device | 22G BNX EUS-FNA needle |
Primary outcome
Diagnostic Accuracy of the 22G SharkCore™ and the 22G BNX EUS-FNA needle
Time frame: 12 months
The primary endpoint measures of the study is to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the 22G SharkCore™ needle system or the 22G BNX EUS-FNA needle for the diagnosis malignancy in solid lesions of the pancreas and gastrointestinal tract. Diagnostic accuracy of the EUS needles for the diagnosis of malignancy is calculated as the number of True Positives with malignancy +True Negatives with malignancy/True Positives with malignancy +True Negatives with malignancy +False Positives with malignancy +False Negatives with malignancy.
4 secondary outcomes
Sensitivity of the EUS Needles
Time frame: 12 months
Complications of the EUS Needles
Time frame: 12 months
Diagnostic sufficiency of Tissue obtained by the EUS Needles
Time frame: 12 months
Specificity of the 22G SharkCore™ needle and the 22G BNX EUS-FNA Needle for the diagnosis malignancy in solid lesions of the pancreas and gastrointestinal tract.
Time frame: 12 months
Results and safety
The study was withdrawn before enrolling participants, so there are no results.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 13 Apr 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Ali Siddiqui, MD principal investigator
Thomas Jefferson University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing 22G SharkCore™ needle and 22G BNX EUS-FNA Needle in people with Pancreatic Cancer and Lymphadenopathy, run by Thomas Jefferson University at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: withdrawn, as of the sponsor's last update on 13 Apr 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study was withdrawn before enrolling participants, so there are no results.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Diagnostic Accuracy of the 22G SharkCore™ and the 22G BNX EUS-FNA needle (time frame: 12 months). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 13 Apr 2026.