Study demonstrates proof of concept for preventing oesophageal cancer

Posted on: 22 November 2025

The study, titled “Tackling Prevention and Early Diagnosis of Esophageal Adenocarcinoma through a National Barrett’s Registry and Scientific Network,” analysed outcomes from more than 9,400 patients enrolled in Ireland’s national Barrett’s Oesophagus Registry and Bioresource since 2011. The registry - funded by the Oesophageal Cancer Fund (OCF) in partnership with Research Ireland - was designed to improve prevention and early diagnosis of oesophageal adenocarcinoma, one of the fastest-rising cancers in Western countries.

Led by the team at the National Centre for Oesophageal and Gastric Cancer and the National Centre for Early Upper Gastrointestinal Neoplasia at the Trinity St. James’s Cancer Institute, the study found that a structured national Barrett’s programme underpinned by expert endoscopy, pathology, and endoscopic eradication therapy can identify high-risk disease early and prevent cancer progression.

It also highlighted that, when diagnosed at specialist centres, advanced pre-cancer changes are associated with a high risk, supporting current intensive approaches to monitoring and treatment. Notably, patients treated through the programme at the Trinity St. James’s Cancer Institute achieved a 100% cancer-specific survival, with only 1% requiring cancer surgery following endoscopic therapy.

These data were presented at the International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus in Brisbane, Australia, and the European Surgical Association Congress in Geneva, Switzerland earlier this year.

The Trinity-led team expressed gratitude to all collaborating sites, led data manager Marie O’Brien, and Research Ireland and the Oesophageal Cancer Fund who supported this work through Precision Oncology Ireland (POI-1).  This oesophageal project was led by Professor Jacintha O’Sullivan and Professor John Reynolds in POI-1.

Dr Jessie Elliott, Academic Lead for Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery at the Trinity St. James’s Cancer Institute commented:

“This study demonstrates that a structured, quality-assured programme can identify and treat those patients at high risk of oesophageal cancer, transforming outcomes for patients with Barrett’s oesophagus. It provides proof of concept that prevention and early detection, embedded in a national network, can reduce mortality from oesophageal cancer. This work reflects the strength of collaboration across the country, not just between clinical sites, but also with our patient partners and the public who powered this important research through the annual Lollipop Day fundraising event.”

READ: You can read the full paper: ‘Tackling Prevention and Early Diagnosis of Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Through a National Barrett's Registry and Scientific Network’ in Annals of Surgery at the following link: https://journals.lww.com/annalsofsurgery/abstract/2025/11000/tackling_prevention_and_early_diagnosis_of.10.aspx

• Tags:
• Health
• Innovation
• Research