Studies of the molecular differences in GORD, BO and OAC patients (V1)

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Investigating the molecular variations present in individuals with Barret’s oesophagus (BO), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and Oesophageal Adenocarcinoma (OAC).

• IRAS ID

  322986

• Contact name

  Gareth Jenkins

• Contact email

  g.j.jenkins@swansea.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  Swansea University

• Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier

  N/A, N/A

• Duration of Study in the UK

  5 years, 0 months, 1 days

• Research summary

  Barrett’s Oesophagus describes a metaplastic change in the lower oesophageal tissue from squamous to columnar epithelium. The main pathophysiological determinant that drives this process is thought to be Gastro-oesophageal reflux, which can occur in approximately 10%. In Western Populations, approximately 1-3% of individuals are thought to have acquired Barrett’s Oesophagus, and in the UK, 2% of these patients with Barrett’s Oesophagus will convert to Oesophageal Adenocarcinoma per year, giving a lifetime cancer risk of 10-15% per UK patient with Barrett’s Oesophagus.
  There are multiple factors that are thought to be at play in the development of reflux, including transient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxation, which may also cause a small amount of physiological reflux but has been shown to be the most common cause of reflux in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.
  It is generally agreed that the duration of reflux episodes appears to be a major contributor to severe oesophagitis. Biopsy samples have shown that the degree of inflammation of the lower oesophageal mucosa secondary to gastro-oesophageal refluxate increases as tissues progress from low-grade dysplasia to high-grade dysplasia and to oesophageal adenocarcinoma. However, studies into the composition of refluxate have suggested that it is not acid alone that drives the inflammation occurring in a squamous–columnar metaplasia and that bile salts may have an influence.

• REC name

  HSC REC A

• REC reference

  23/NI/0114

• Date of REC Opinion

  14 Sep 2023

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion