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Revisiting Proton Pump Inhibitors as Chemoprophylaxis Against the Progression of Barrett’s Esophagus

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Barrett’s esophagus (BE) is associated with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease and is a known precursor to esophageal adenocarcinoma. While endoscopic surveillance strategies and the role for endoscopic eradication therapy have been well established, there has been much interest in identifying chemopreventive agents to disrupt or halt the metaplasia-dysplasia-carcinoma sequence in patients with BE.

Recent Findings

No pharmacological agent has held more hope in reducing the risk of neoplastic progression in BE than proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). However, data supporting PPIs for chemoprevention have largely been from observational cohort and case–control studies with mixed results.

Summary

In this review, we revisit the literature and highlight the role of PPIs in patients with BE as it pertains to chemoprophylaxis against the progression of BE to dysplasia and esophageal adenocarcinoma.

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Data Availability

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References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Acknowledgements

This material is the result of work supported with resources at the Dallas VA Medical Center.

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  1. Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Dallas VA Medical Center and University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA

    Shawn L. Shah & Kerry Dunbar

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  1. Shawn L. Shah
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S.S. and K.D. collaborated on the main manuscript text and preparing of the tables.

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Correspondence to Shawn L. Shah.

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Shah, S.L., Dunbar, K. Revisiting Proton Pump Inhibitors as Chemoprophylaxis Against the Progression of Barrett’s Esophagus. Curr Gastroenterol Rep 25, 374–379 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11894-023-00905-5

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