Proton Pump Inhibitors and Radiofrequency Ablation for Treatment of Barrett's Esophagus

Abstract

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is characterized by acid and bile reflux in the dis-tal oesophagus, and this may cause the development of reflux esophagitis and Barrett’s oesophagus (BE). The natural histological course of untreated BE is non-dysplastic or benign BE (ND), then low-grade (LGD) and High-Grade Dysplastic (HGD) BE, with the expected increase in malignancy transfer to oesophagal adenocarcinoma (EAC). The gold standard for BE diagnostics involves high-resolution white-light endoscopy, followed by uniform endoscopy findings description (Prague classification) with biopsy performance according to Seattle protocol. The medical treatment of GERD and BE includes the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) regarding symptoms control. It is noteworthy that long-term use of PPIs increases gastrin level, which can contribute to transfer from BE to EAC, as a result of its effects on the proliferation of BE epithelium. Endoscopy treatment includes a wide range of re-section and ablative techniques, such as radio-frequency ablation (RFA), often concomitantly used in everyday endoscopy practice (multimodal therapy). RFA promotes mucosal necrosis of treated oesophagal region via high-frequency energy. Laparoscopic surgery, partial or total fundoplication, is reserved for PPIs and endoscopy indolent patients or in those with progressive disease. This review aims to explain distinct effects of PPIs and RFA modalities, illuminate certain aspects of molecular mechanisms involved, as well as the effects of their concomitant use regarding the treatment of BE and prevention of its transfer to EAC.