Randomized Controlled Trial of the Gastrin/CCK Receptor Antagonist Netazepide in Patients with Barrett's Esophagus.

Hypergastrinemia has been associated with high-grade dysplasia and adenocarcinoma in patients with Barrett's esophagus, and experimental studies suggest proinflammatory and proneoplastic effects of gastrin on Barrett's esophagus. This is of potential concern, as patients with Barrett's esophagus are treated with medications that suppress gastric acid production, resulting in increased physiologic levels of gastrin. We aimed to determine whether treatment with the novel gastrin/CCK receptor antagonist netazepide reduces expression of markers associated with inflammation and neoplasia in Barrett's esophagus.

Alterations to the Esophageal Microbiome Associated with Progression from Barrett's Esophagus to Esophageal Adenocarcinoma.

Background: The incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma has risen dramatically over the past half century, and the underlying reasons are incompletely understood. Broad shifts to the upper gastrointestinal microbiome may be partly responsible. The goal of this study was to describe alterations in the esophageal microbiome that occur with progression from Barrett's esophagus to esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Increasing Dietary Fiber Intake Is Associated with a Distinct Esophageal Microbiome.

Introduction: There is increasing evidence that the microbiome contributes to esophageal disease. Diet, especially fiber and fat intake, is a known potent modifier of the colonic microbiome, but its impact on the esophageal microbiome is not well described. We hypothesized that dietary fiber and fat intake would be associated with a distinct esophageal microbiome.

Barrett's esophagus is associated with a distinct oral microbiome.

Objectives: The esophageal microbiome is composed of predominantly oral flora and is altered in reflux-related conditions including Barrett's esophagus (BE). Changes to the esophageal microbiome may be reflected in the oral cavity. Assessing the oral microbiome thus represents a potential non-invasive method to identify patients with BE.