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Massironi S, Mulinacci G, Gallo C, Elvevi A, Danese S, Invernizzi P, Vespa E. Mechanistic Insights into Eosinophilic Esophagitis: Therapies Targeting Pathophysiological Mechanisms. Cells 2023; 12:2473. [PMID: 37887317 PMCID: PMC10605530 DOI: 10.3390/cells12202473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by eosinophilic infiltration of the esophagus. It arises from a complex interplay of genetic predisposition (susceptibility loci), environmental triggers (allergens and dietary antigens), and a dysregulated immune response, mainly mediated by type 2 T helper cell (Th2)-released cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and IL-13. These cytokines control eosinophil recruitment and activation as well as tissue remodeling, contributing to the characteristic features of EoE. The pathogenesis of EoE includes epithelial barrier dysfunction, mast cell activation, eosinophil degranulation, and fibrosis. Epithelial barrier dysfunction allows allergen penetration and promotes immune cell infiltration, thereby perpetuating the inflammatory response. Mast cells release proinflammatory mediators and promote eosinophil recruitment and the release of cytotoxic proteins and cytokines, causing tissue damage and remodeling. Prolonged inflammation can lead to fibrosis, resulting in long-term complications such as strictures and dysmotility. Current treatment options for EoE are limited and mainly focus on dietary changes, proton-pump inhibitors, and topical corticosteroids. Novel therapies targeting key inflammatory pathways, such as monoclonal antibodies against IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13, are emerging in clinical trials. A deeper understanding of the complex pathogenetic mechanisms behind EoE will contribute to the development of more effective and personalized therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Massironi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, 20900 Monza, Italy; (G.M.); (C.G.); (A.E.)
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20125 Milan, Italy
| | - Giacomo Mulinacci
- Division of Gastroenterology, Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, 20900 Monza, Italy; (G.M.); (C.G.); (A.E.)
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20125 Milan, Italy
| | - Camilla Gallo
- Division of Gastroenterology, Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, 20900 Monza, Italy; (G.M.); (C.G.); (A.E.)
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20125 Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Elvevi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, 20900 Monza, Italy; (G.M.); (C.G.); (A.E.)
| | - Silvio Danese
- Gastroenterology and Endoscopy, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Pietro Invernizzi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, 20900 Monza, Italy; (G.M.); (C.G.); (A.E.)
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20125 Milan, Italy
| | - Edoardo Vespa
- Gastroenterology and Endoscopy, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
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Grueso-Navarro E, Navarro P, Laserna-Mendieta EJ, Lucendo AJ, Arias-González L. Blood-Based Biomarkers for Eosinophilic Esophagitis and Concomitant Atopic Diseases: A Look into the Potential of Extracellular Vesicles. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043669. [PMID: 36835081 PMCID: PMC9967575 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic, Th2-inflammatory disease of the esophagus that can severely affect food intake. Currently, diagnosis and assessing response to treatment of EoE is highly invasive and requires endoscopy with esophageal biopsies. Finding non-invasive and accurate biomarkers is important for improving patient well-being. Unfortunately, EoE is usually accompanied by other atopies, which make it difficult to identify specific biomarkers. Providing an update of circulating EoE biomarkers and concomitant atopies is therefore timely. This review summarizes the current knowledge in EoE blood biomarkers and two of its most common comorbidities, bronchial asthma (BA) and atopic dermatitis (AD), focusing on dysregulated proteins, metabolites, and RNAs. It also revises the current knowledge on extracellular vesicles (EVs) as non-invasive biomarkers for BA and AD, and concludes with the potential use of EVs as biomarkers in EoE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Grueso-Navarro
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital General de Tomelloso, Tomelloso, 13700 Ciudad Real, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Castilla-La Mancha (IDISCAM), 45004 Toledo, Spain
- Correspondence: (E.G.-N.); (A.J.L.)
| | - Pilar Navarro
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital General de Tomelloso, Tomelloso, 13700 Ciudad Real, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Castilla-La Mancha (IDISCAM), 45004 Toledo, Spain
| | - Emilio J. Laserna-Mendieta
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital General de Tomelloso, Tomelloso, 13700 Ciudad Real, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Castilla-La Mancha (IDISCAM), 45004 Toledo, Spain
- Laboratory Medicine Department, Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, 28006 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Princesa (IIS-IP), 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Alfredo J. Lucendo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital General de Tomelloso, Tomelloso, 13700 Ciudad Real, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Castilla-La Mancha (IDISCAM), 45004 Toledo, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Princesa (IIS-IP), 28006 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28006 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (E.G.-N.); (A.J.L.)
| | - Laura Arias-González
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital General de Tomelloso, Tomelloso, 13700 Ciudad Real, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Castilla-La Mancha (IDISCAM), 45004 Toledo, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Princesa (IIS-IP), 28006 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28006 Madrid, Spain
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Pitsios C, Vassilopoulou E, Pantavou K, Terreehorst I, Nowak-wegzryn A, Cianferoni A, Tsigkrelis GP, Papachristodoulou M, Bonovas S, Nikolopoulos GK. Allergy-Test-Based Elimination Diets for the Treatment of Eosinophilic Esophagitis: A Systematic Review of Their Efficacy. J Clin Med 2022; 11:5631. [PMID: 36233499 PMCID: PMC9572139 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11195631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an immune-mediated esophageal disorder, linked with sensitization to food and airborne allergens. Dietary manipulations are proposed for the management of EoE inflammation and are often successful, confirming the etiological role of food allergens. Three different dietary approaches are widely used: the elemental, the empirical, and the allergy-test-driven approach. We performed a systematic review to assess the evidence on the association of allergens, detected by allergy tests, with clinically confirmed triggers of EoE. We systematically searched PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and the Cochrane Library, through 1 June 2021. We sought studies examining the correlation of skin-prick tests (SPT), atopy patch tests (APT), specific IgE, and serum-specific IgG4, with confirmed triggers of EoE. Data on the use of prick–prick tests were also extracted. Evidence was independently screened by two authors against predefined eligibility criteria. Risk of bias was assessed with the ROBINS-I tool. Of 52 potentially eligible studies, 16 studies fulfilling quality criteria were included. These studies used one to three different allergy tests detecting food sensitization. The positive predictive value was generally low to moderate but higher when a combination of tests was used than single-test evaluations. None of the selected studies used serum-specific IgG4. Although an extreme methodological variability was noticed in the studies, allergy-based elimination diets were estimated to be efficient in 66.7% of the cases. The efficacy of targeted elimination diets, guided by SPT, sIgE, and/or APT allergy tests, does not appear superior to empirical ones. In the future, tests using esophageal prick testing or ex vivo food antigen stimulation may prove more efficient to guide elimination diets.
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Dellon ES, Gupta SK. A Conceptual Approach to Understanding Treatment Response in Eosinophilic Esophagitis. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019; 17:2149-2160. [PMID: 30710696 PMCID: PMC6667323 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2019.01.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Revised: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
While the diagnosis and initial treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis are becoming more standardized, there are still major gaps in knowledge related to measuring treatment response. One such question centers on how to measure treatment response and what treatment endpoints should be. This impacts not only patient care and engagement in decision-making, but also the field of drug development. In addition, studies so far have use a myriad of treatment endpoints including over a dozen histologic endpoint criteria. This review will discuss the various stakeholders involved in assessment of treatment endpoints of a complex condition, including patients, practitioners and regulatory agencies, and the care settings in which treatment response is assessed, including routine clinical care, clinical trials, and observational studies. Potential parameters or treatment endpoints such as histology, symptoms, patient-reported outcomes, endoscopy, and biomarkers are discussed along with associated challenges and opportunities. A framework on how to define treatment outcomes is discussed and a conceptual approach treatment response is proposed. This takes into account histology, symptoms, and endoscopic findings and harnesses existing, validated tools. It includes definitions of nonresponse, complete normalization, and a graded response category between these 2 extremes, and also permits flexibility and latitude for modifications as newer knowledge emerges. In addition, ways to position the pediatric population in these endeavors are discussed as are future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan S Dellon
- Center for Esophageal Diseases and Swallowing, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
| | - Sandeep K Gupta
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Peoria, IL
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Zheng P, Tan HY. New developments in diagnosis and treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2019; 27:828-834. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v27.i13.828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic, allergen-driven, immune mediated disease of the esophagus that progresses to esophageal fibrostenosis if not well treated. The aim of this review is to provide an update on recent clinical advances in the development of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for EoE. At present, the diagnosis and disease monitoring for EoE rely on repetitive endoscopic evaluations and esophageal tissue acquisition for histopathologic analysis. Recent advancements in EoE diagnosis include transnasal endoscopy, endoscopic functional lumen imaging probe, and the emergence of non-invasive diagnostic tools including cytosponge, esophageal string test, and mucosal impedance probe. Biomarkers for EoE have not yet proven their clinical utility. The current treatment modalities for EoE are topical corticosteroid, proton-pump inhibitors, elimination diet, and dilation. Promising results from clinical trials are emerging for biologic agents that target the interleukin (IL)-13 and the IL-4/IL-13 receptor, specifically, RPC4046 and dupilumab. Especially, dupilumab is promising to become the orphan drug of EoE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pu Zheng
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Beijing Hospital, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Huang-Ying Tan
- Department of Integrative Oncology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic, allergen-driven, immune-mediated disease of the esophagus that progresses to esophageal fibrostenosis if left untreated. The aim of this review is to provide a concise update on recent clinically relevant advances in the development of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for EoE. RECENT FINDINGS Current diagnostic and disease monitoring protocols for EoE rely on repetitive endoscopic evaluations and esophageal tissue acquisition for histopathologic analysis. Recent advancements in EoE diagnosis include endoscopic functional lumen imaging probe (FLIP), transnasal endoscopy (TNE), and the emergence of non-invasive diagnostic tools including cytosponge, esophageal string test, and mucosal impedance probe. Biomarkers for EoE have not yet proven their clinical utility. No Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs currently exist for the treatment of EoE. Topical corticosteroid, proton-pump inhibitors (PPI), elimination diet, and dilation are the current treatment modalities for confirmed EoE. Promising results from clinical trials are emerging for biologic agents that target the interleukin (IL)-13 and the IL-4/IL-13 receptor, specifically, RPC4046 and dupilumab, respectively. New diagnostic algorithms, non-invasive diagnostic strategies, and treatment modalities for EoE are emerging. Patients with EoE continue to require a multimodal and multi-disciplinary management approach.
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