How esophagus injury and repair can lead to Barrett's and esophageal cancer
Pathways of Injury and Repair in Barrett's Carcinogenesis
This program looks at how damage and inflammation in the esophagus cause cells to change and lead to Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma in people with reflux or Barrett's.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Case Western Reserve University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11179393 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's view, researchers use new mouse models and examine human tissue to see how broken-down lining and inflammation trigger cell changes at junctions and glands in the esophagus. They measure inflammatory signals like CXCL8/IL-8 and study signaling pathways such as EPHB2 that turn on factors like c-MYC, Notch, p63, and SOX9. The work combines three linked projects and shared core resources, including a biorepository for tissue samples, to learn how injury, inflammation, and altered cell signaling create precancerous changes. Insights come from lab experiments, tissue analyses, and integrated biological data to map the steps from injury to Barrett's and cancer.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would include people with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), known Barrett's esophagus, or who are at high risk for esophageal adenocarcinoma and can donate tissue or participate in follow-up at the center.
Not a fit: People without esophageal reflux, Barrett's, or related esophageal conditions are unlikely to directly benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to ways to detect Barrett's earlier, prevent its progression, or identify targets for new treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has linked inflammation and specific signaling pathways to Barrett's, but this program uses novel mouse models and integrated tissue analysis to explore new mechanisms and mediators like EPHB2.
Where this research is happening
Cleveland, United States
- Case Western Reserve University — Cleveland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chak, Amitabh — Case Western Reserve University
- Study coordinator: Chak, Amitabh
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.