Medication used to treat Barrett’s Oesophagus

NSAIDS

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin have been linked with a reduced risk of Barrett’s progression to oesophageal adenocarcinoma (1,8). These drugs work by inhibiting the biological enzyme COX-2.

Enzymes are biological catalysts that mediate biological processes. COX-2 inhibits programmed cell death (apoptosis) and promotes the development of new blood vessels (angiogenesis). As apoptosis will cause cancerous cells to die, inhibition of apoptosis makes development of cancer more likely. Angiogenesis is needed to provide cancerous cells with oxygen and nutrients, allowing them to survive. Inhibition of COX-2 will make the development of cancer less likely.

The role of COX-2 in Barrett’s oesophagus, and its progression, is indicated by the increased expression of the enzyme in non-dysplastic, dysplastic Barrett’s oesophagus, and oesophageal adenocarcinoma (9,10).

NSAID use is likely to be retrospectively protective, meaning individuals who have previously used NSAIDs are less likely to develop oesophageal adenocarcinoma than those who have never taken NSAIDs. In one study, there was an 80% reduction (from 14.3% to 6.6%) in the incidence of adenocarcinoma in individuals who previously used NSAIDs compared to those who have never taken such drugs (11).

Statins

Statins are a group of drugs that reduce the production of cholesterol by the body, and help reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood.

Several studies have indicated that regular use of statins (with or without NSAIDs) is associated with a significantly reduced risk of developing oesophageal adenocarcinoma. For example, one study (12) found that patients on long-term statins were 43% less likely to develop oesophageal cancer. Those on statins and aspirin had a 69% reduced risk of developing oesophageal cancer.

In one study of 85 patients, the odds ratio of patients on longer-term statin use was 0.57. The use of higher doses of statins was associated with a significantly greater reduction in the OR for oesophageal adenocarcinoma. When combined with aspirin, the OR = 0.31 (12).
A meta-analysis of 5 patient studies found that statins were associated with a 41% reduction in the risk of oesophageal adenocarcinoma after adjusting for confounding variables.

Cautionary advice

A meta-analysis published in 2015 (13) found that:

• Statin use was associated with a 50% risk reduction of oesophageal adenocarcinoma and high-grade dysplastic Barrett’s oesophagus in Barrett’s patients
• PPI’s do not significantly reduce the risk of high-grade dysplastic Barrett’s oesophagus or oesophageal adenocarcinoma at any dose
• Low-dose use of NSAIDs is not associated with a risk reduction for oesophageal adenocarcinoma

This meta-analysis suggests that pharmacological agents in patients with Barrett’s oesophagus should not necessarily be provided, due to the conflicting evidence for their efficacy.

References

• Shaheen NJ, Falk GW, Iyer PG, Gerson LB, American College of Gastroenterology. ACG Clinical Guideline: Diagnosis and Management of Barrett’s Esophagus. Am J Gastroenterol [Internet]. 2016 Jan;111(1):30–50; quiz 51.
• Weston AP, Badr AS, Hassanein RS. Prospective multivariate analysis of factors predictive of complete regression of Barrett’s esophagus. Am J Gastroenterol [Internet]. 1999 Dec;94(12):3420–6.
• Konda VJ, Dalal K. Optimal management of Barrett’s esophagus: pharmacologic, endoscopic, and surgical interventions. Ther Clin Risk Manag [Internet]. 2011;7:447–58.
• Sampliner RE. Reduction of acid exposure and regression of Barrett’s esophagus. Dig Dis [Internet]. 18(4):203–7.
• El-Serag HB, Aguirre T V, Davis S, Kuebeler M, Bhattacharyya A, Sampliner RE. Proton pump inhibitors are associated with reduced incidence of dysplasia in Barrett’s esophagus. Am J Gastroenterol [Internet]. 2004 Oct;99(10):1877–83.
• Nguyen DM, El-Serag HB, Henderson L, Stein D, Bhattacharyya A, Sampliner RE. Medication usage and the risk of neoplasia in patients with Barrett’s esophagus. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol [Internet]. 2009 Dec;7(12):1299–304.
• Hillman LC, Chiragakis L, Shadbolt B, Kaye GL, Clarke AC. Proton-pump inhibitor therapy and the development of dysplasia in patients with Barrett’s oesophagus. Med J Aust [Internet]. 2004 Apr;180(8):387–91.
• Pophali P, Halland M. Barrett’s oesophagus: diagnosis and management. BMJ [Internet]. British Medical Journal Publishing Group; 2016;353(6):i2373.
• Morris CD, Armstrong GR, Bigley G, Green H, Attwood SE. Cyclooxygenase-2 expression in the Barrett’s metaplasia-dysplasia-adenocarcinoma sequence. Am J Gastroenterol [Internet]. 2001 Apr;96(4):990–6.
• Buttar NS, Wang KK, Anderson MA, Dierkhising RA, Pacifico RJ, Krishnadath KK, et al. The effect of selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition in Barrett’s esophagus epithelium: an in vitro study. J Natl Cancer Inst [Internet]. 2002 Mar;94(6):422–9.
• Vaughan TL, Dong LM, Blount PL, Ayub K, Odze RD, Sanchez CA, et al. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and risk of neoplastic progression in Barrett’s oesophagus: a prospective study. Lancet Oncol [Internet]. 2005 Dec;6(12):945–52.
• Beales ILP, Vardi I, Dearman L. Regular statin and aspirin use in patients with Barrett’s oesophagus is associated with a reduced incidence of oesophageal adenocarcinoma. Eur J Gastroenterol {&} Hepatol [Internet]. 2012 Aug;24(8):917–23.
• Masclee GMC, Coloma PM, Spaander MCW, Kuipers EJ, Sturkenboom MCJM. NSAIDs, statins, low-dose aspirin and PPIs, and the risk of oesophageal adenocarcinoma among patients with Barrett’s oesophagus: a population-based case-control study. BMJ Open [Internet]. 2015;5(1):e006640.