This technology identifies components of the oral microbiome as biomarkers of Barrett’s esophagus (BE) and describes an oral rinse for preventing and treating BE and other esophageal disorders.
Unmet Need: Non-invasive early detection and treatment of esophageal diseases
Inflammation within the esophagus is associated with conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), eosinophilic esophagitis, precancerous lesions such as Barrett’s esophagus (BE), and cancer. Currently, options for diagnosing and treating esophageal diseases require invasive upper endoscopies and procedures such as resection of damaged tissue. Consequently, there is a clear need for effective, non-invasive approaches for both the diagnosis and treatment of BE and related esophageal diseases. This is particularly important in terms of monitoring the development of BE as it serves as a precursor to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Therefore, non-invasive screening tests of BE assist by identifying biomarkers to estimate disease likelihood and enable early intervention.
The Technology: Oral microbiome-based diagnosis and treatment of esophageal diseases including Barrett’s esophagus
This technology comprises a biomarker test to noninvasively assess the microbiome to identify bacterial strains involved in the pathogenesis of Barrett’s esophagus (BE) and other esophageal diseases, and an oral rinse to manipulate the microbiome to treat or prevent BE and other esophageal diseases. By analyzing an oral swab, BE can be effectively detected and its progression monitored. Additionally, a therapeutic oral rinse is introduced, comprising antiseptic components that could alter the bacterial composition of the esophagus and suppress invasive, inflammation-causing pathogens. Altogether, this technology provides a non-invasive, cost-effective approach for the diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and monitoring of BE and related esophageal diseases.
This technology has been tested in a clinical cohort of 49 patients and will be assessed in a larger cohort of patients (~1,100) undergoing a first upper endoscopy.
Applications:
- Non-invasive diagnosis of Barrett’s esophagus (BE) via oral microbiome analysis
- Prophylaxis and treatment of BE, esophageal cancer, esophageal adenocarcinoma, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), indigestion, and eosinophilic esophagitis
- Platform to study the pathogenicity of bacterial species involved in BE and esophageal adenocarcinoma
- Platform to study the development of esophageal disorders and esophageal cancer dependent on the presence and levels of bacterial species
- Platform and method of monitoring treatment of BE
Advantages:
- Non-invasive diagnosis and treatment of esophageal diseases
- Enables early detection and disease prevention of esophageal diseases
- Compatible with existing medications targeting reflux and inflammation
- Oral rinse can be self-administered by the patient
- Screening and treatment do not require in-patient care or a specialized setting
- Cost-effective
Lead Inventor:
Julian Abrams, M.D., M.S.
Patent Information:
Patent Pending (US20230277482)
Related Publications:
Solfisburg QS, Baldini F, Baldwin-Hunter BL, Lee HH, Park H, Freedberg DE, Lightdale CJ, Korem T, Abrams JA. “The salivary microbiome and predicted metabolite production are associated with progression from barett’s esophagus to esophageal adenocarcinoma.” bioRxiv 2023 Jun 28
Radani N, Metwaly A, Reitmeier S, Baumeister T, Ingermann J, Horstmann J, Anand A, Gatz I, Kohlmayer F, Janssen KP, Slotta-Huspenina J, Schmid RM, Haller D, Abrams JA, Quante M. “Analysis of fecal, salivary, and tissue microbiome in barret’s esophagus, dysplasia, and esophageal adenocarcinoma.” GastroHep Advances 2022 Apr 09;1(5):755-76600056-5/fulltext)
Annavajhala MK, May M, Compres G, Freedberg DE, Graham R, Stump S, Que J, Korem T, Uhlemann AC, Abrams JA. “Relationship of the esophageal microbiome and tissue gene expression and links to the oral microbiome: a randomized clinical trial.” Clin Transl Gastroenterol 2020 Dec;11(12):e00235
Snider EJ, Compres G, Freedberg DE, Khiabanian H, Nobel YR, Stump S, Uhlemann AC, Lightdale CJ, Abrams JA. “Alterations to the esophageal microbiome associated with progression from barrett’s esophagus to esophageal adenocarcinoma.” Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2019 Oct; 28(10):1687-1693
Snider EJ, Compres G, Freedberg DE, Giddins MJ, Khiabanian H, Lightdale CJ, Nobel YR, Toussaint NC, Uhlemann AC, Abrams JA. “Barrett’s esophagus is associated with a distinct oral microbiome.” Clin Transl Gastroenterol 2018 Feb 20; 9(3): 135.
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