Efficacy of proton pump inhibitor therapy for eosinophilic oesophagitis in 630 patients: results from the EoE connect registry

Eosinophilic esophagitis: New molecules, better life?

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an antigen-mediated chronic T helper type 2 (Th2)-associated inflammatory disorder that has emerged in the last three decades as an increasingly common cause of esophageal symptoms. Despite rising incidence and prevalence, there are currently no approved therapies for EoE in the United States and only one oral topical corticosteroid approved in Europe and Canada. Current management relies on labor- and endoscopy-intensive dietary elimination, proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) with only moderate efficacy, and use of inhaled or nebulized topical corticosteroids designed for asthma and limited by accessibility. Fortunately, progress in elucidating the underlying pathophysiology of EoE has led to the development of new therapies derived from molecular targets necessary for disease pathogenesis. We summarize established and emerging medical therapies for EoE, with a focus on new treatments with specific molecular targets that are likely to change EoE management paradigms in the next decade.

EoE CONNECT, the European Registry of Clinical, Environmental, and Genetic Determinants in Eosinophilic Esophagitis: rationale, design, and study protocol of a large-scale epidemiological study in Europe

BACKGROUND

The growing prevalence of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) represents a considerable burden to patients and health care systems. Optimizing cost-effective management and identifying mechanisms for disease onset and progression are required. However, the paucity of large patient cohorts and heterogeneity of practice hinder the defining of optimal management of EoE.

METHODS

EoE CONNECT is an ongoing, prospective registry study initiated in 2016 and currently managed by EUREOS, the European Consortium for Eosinophilic Diseases of the Gastrointestinal Tract. Patients are managed and treated by their responsible specialists independently. Data recorded using a web-based system include demographic and clinical variables; patient allergies; environmental, intrapartum, and early life exposures; and family background. Symptoms are structurally assessed at every visit; endoscopic features and histological findings are recorded for each examination. Prospective treatment data are registered sequentially, with new sequences created each time a different treatment (active principle, formulation, or dose) is administered to a patient. EoE CONNECT database is actively monitored to ensure the highest data accuracy and the highest scientific and ethical standards.

RESULTS

EoE CONNECT is currently being conducted at 39 centers in Europe and enrolls patients of all ages with EoE. In its aim to increase knowledge, to date EoE CONNECT has provided evidence on the effectiveness of first- and second-line therapies for EoE in clinical practice, the ability of proton pump inhibitors to induce disease remission, and factors associated with improved response. Drug effects to reverse fibrous remodeling and endoscopic features of fibrosis in EoE have also been assessed.

CONCLUSION

This prospective registry study will provide important information on the epidemiological and clinical aspects of EoE and evidence as to the real-world and long-term effectiveness and safety of therapy. These data will potentially be a vital benchmark for planning future EoE health care services in Europe.

Proton Pump Inhibitor Therapy for Eosinophilic Esophagitis: History, Mechanisms, Efficacy, and Future Directions

Over the past decade, the role of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) medication has evolved from a diagnostic tool for Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE), by excluding patients with PPI responsive esophageal eosinophilia (PPI-REE), to a therapy for EoE. This transition resulted from the Updated International Consensus Diagnostic Criteria for Eosinophilic Esophagitis: Proceedings of the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II (AGREE) Conference to support PPI therapy for EoE in children and adults. Additional recent advances have suggested a role for genetic variations that might impact response to PPI therapy for EoE. This review article will explore a brief background of EoE, the evolution of PPI therapy for EoE and its proposed mechanisms, efficacy and safety in children and adults, and considerations for future PPI precision medicine in patients with EoE.

Evidence-based treatments for eosinophilic esophagitis: insights for the clinician

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by symptoms of esophageal dysfunction and eosinophil-predominant inflammation. Left untreated, EoE progresses to fibrous remodeling and stricture formation that impairs quality of life. Therefore, EoE requires either repeated treatments or maintenance therapy. Current guidelines recommend swallowed topical corticosteroids (STCs), proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs), or dietary intervention as initial options to induce and maintain long-term disease remission. Impractical exclusive elemental diets and suboptimal allergy testing-directed food avoidance paved the way for empirical elimination diets. These are moderately effective and highly reproducible in inducing EoE remission and allow for identification of specific food triggers. Step-up strategies, including two- and four-food rather than six-food elimination diets, should be considered as initial approaches for dietary treatment in patients of all ages, as they reduce the need for endoscopic procedures, shorten diagnostic processing time, and avoid unnecessary restrictions. Formulations of STC originally designed for asthma therapy are suboptimal for EoE treatment, with new effervescent orodispersible tablets and viscose formulations designed to coat the esophageal mucosa providing increased effectiveness at reduced doses. The anti-inflammatory effects of PPI in EoE are independent from gastric acid secretion inhibition; despite evidence from observational research, PPIs are the most commonly prescribed first-line therapy for EoE due to their accessibility, low cost, and safety profile. Double doses of PPI only induce remission in half of EoE patients, irrespective of the drug used or patients' age. Inflammatory rather than stricturing EoE phenotype and treatment duration up to 12 weeks increase chances of achieving EoE remission. Most responders effectively maintain long-term remission with standard PPI doses. Finally, endoscopic dilation should be considered in patients with reduced esophageal caliber or persistent dysphagia despite histological remission. This article provides a state-of-the-art review and updated discussion of current therapies and newly developed options for EoE.

Recurrent abdominal pain, peritoneal effusion, and eosinophilia in a boy aged 17 years

A boy, aged 17 years, was admitted again due to abdominal pain, diarrhea, and eosinophilia for 3 years, which worsened for 3 days. Three years ago, the boy suffered from abdominal pain and diarrhea after eating yogurt; color Doppler ultrasound showed a large amount of peritoneal effusion, and routine blood test, bone marrow cell morphology, and ascites histological examination showed a large number of eosinophils. Three days ago, he was admitted again due to abdominal pain and diarrhea. The gastrointestinal endoscopy showed eosinophil infiltration in the angle of stomach. The boy was diagnosed with eosinophilic gastrointestinal disease (eosinophilic gastroenteritis). He was improved after the treatment with glucocorticoids and dietary avoidance, and no recurrence was observed during the one-year follow-up. It is concluded that for children who attend the hospital due to gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea, if there is an increase in peripheral blood eosinophils, it is necessary to consider the possibility of eosinophilic gastrointestinal disease, and eosinophil infiltration and abnormal eosinophil count in gastrointestinal tissue based on endoscopic biopsy may be the key to diagnosis.

Proton pump inhibitor therapy reverses endoscopic features of fibrosis in eosinophilic esophagitis

BACKGROUND

Long-standing inflammation leads to esophageal remodeling with stricture formation in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). The ability of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) to reverse endoscopic features of fibrosis is still unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of a short course of PPI treatment in reducing endoscopic findings indicative of esophageal fibrosis in EoE patients.

METHODS

Cross-sectional analysis of the EoE CONNECT registry. Patients who received PPI to induce EoE remission were evaluated. Endoscopic features were graded using the EoE Endoscopic Reference Score (EREFS), with rings and strictures indicating fibrosis. Results were compared to those from patients treated with swallowed topic corticosteroids (STC).

RESULTS

Clinico-histological remission was achieved in 83/166 adult patients treated with PPI (50%) and in 65/79 (82%) treated with STC; among responders, 60 (36%) and 57 (72%) patients respectively achieved deep histological remission (<5 eosinophils/hpf). At baseline, mean±SD EREFS was lower in patients treated with PPI compared to those who received STC (p < 0.001). Short term treatment significantly reduced EREFS scores in patients treated either with PPI or STC as well as rings and strictures. Among patients treated with PPI, deep histological remission (<5 eosinophils/hpf) provided further reduction in total EREFS score.

CONCLUSION

Effective PPI therapy for EoE significantly reduced endoscopic esophageal fibrosis in the short term.

Eosinophilic Esophagitis: A Review

Importance

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disease of the esophagus that affects an estimated 34.4/100 000 people in Europe and North America. EoE affects both children and adults, and causes dysphagia, food impaction of the esophagus, and esophageal strictures.

Observations

EoE is defined by symptoms of esophageal dysfunction, such as vomiting, dysphagia, or feeding difficulties, in a patient with an esophageal biopsy demonstrating at least 15 eosinophils per high-power field in the absence of other conditions associated with esophageal eosinophilia such as gastroesophageal reflux disease or achalasia. Genetic factors and environmental factors, such as exposure to antibiotics early in life, are associated with EoE. Current therapies include proton pump inhibitors; topical steroid preparations, such as fluticasone and budesonide; dietary therapy with amino acid formula or empirical food elimination; and endoscopic dilation. In a systematic review of observational studies that included 1051 patients with EoE, proton pump inhibitor therapy was associated with a histologic response, defined as less than 15 eosinophils per high-power field on endoscopic biopsy, in 41.7% of patients, while placebo was associated with a 13.3% response rate. In a systematic review of 8 randomized trials of 437 patients with EoE, topical corticosteroid treatment was associated with histologic remission in 64.9% of patients compared with 13.3% for placebo. Patients with esophageal narrowing may require dilation. Objective assessment of therapeutic response typically requires endoscopy with biopsy.

Conclusions and Relevance

EoE has a prevalence of approximately 34.4/100 000 worldwide. Treatments consist of proton pump inhibitors, topical steroids, elemental diet, and empirical food elimination, with esophageal dilation reserved for patients with symptomatic esophageal narrowing.

Effectiveness of PPI treatment and guideline adherence in 236 patients with eosinophilic oesophagitis-Results from the population-based DanEoE cohort shows a low complication rate

Background

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are often the first drug of choice in the treatment of eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE), and in Denmark 8 weeks of high‐dose PPI therapy is recommended as first‐line treatment followed by rebiopsying, reflecting international recommendations.

Aims

To assess the population‐based effectiveness of PPIs in the treatment of EoE and evaluate whether patients were treated and followed according to the regional guideline.

Methods

This is a retrospective, registry‐based, DanEoE cohort study of 236 adult EoE patients diagnosed between 2007 and 2017 in the North Denmark Region. After patient file revision, the EoE diagnosis was defined according to the AGREE 2 consensus. Symptomatic PPI response was defined as complete symptom resolution and histological remission (<15 eosinophils per high‐power field).

Results

PPI treatment was initiated in 92% of the EoE patients. High‐ and low‐dose PPIs were prescribed in 55% and 45% of the cases, respectively. When treated with high‐dose PPIs, 68% of the patients were completely symptom‐free, and 49% were in histological remission. In 39% of high‐dose PPI‐treated patients, the symptomatic and histological responses were conflicting. While treated with PPIs, complications were rare, with <5% strictures in responders and <10% in non‐responders. Rebiopsying was done in 67% of the EoE patients started on PPIs.

Conclusions

High‐dose PPI treatment was effective in half of the EoE patients started on PPIs, but conflicting symptomatic and histological PPI responses were common. Complications were rare when PPIs were started. One‐third of the patients were not rebiopsied as recommended.

[Treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis - advancements and perspectives]

In recent years significant progress has been made in the treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), especially in the area of topical corticosteroids. Novel EoE-specific formulations have been developed and first approvals have been obtained for induction and maintenance of remission in adult EoE patients with the orodispersible budesonide tablet in Germany and other European and non-EU countries. A novel budesonide oral suspension is currently under priority review by the FDA for first approval in the U.S. In contrast, the scientific evidence on the efficacy of proton pump inhibitors remains limited. Moreover, new biologicals have been identified which showed promising results in phase 2 trials and are now being studied in phase 3. This article aims to summarize and discuss recent advances and perspectives in the treatment of EoE.

Eosinophilic esophagitis-established facts and new horizons

Despite dramatic advances in our understanding of the pathogenesis and course of disease in the relatively short timeframe since the discovery and first description of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) less than three decades ago, many open questions remain to be elucidated. For instance, we will need to better characterize atypical clinical presentations of EoE and other forms of esophageal inflammatory conditions with often similar clinical presentations, nut fulfilling current diagnostic criteria for EoE and to determine their significance and interrelationship with genuine EoE. In addition, the interrelationship of EoE with other immune-mediated diseases remains to be clarified. Hopefully, a closer look at the role of environmental factors and their interaction with genetic susceptibility often in context of atopic predisposition may enable identifying the candidate substances/agents/allergens and potentially earlier (childhood) events to trigger the condition. It appears plausible to assume that in the end—comparable to current concepts in other immune-mediated chronic diseases, such as for instance inflammatory bowel disease or asthma bronchiale—we will not be rewarded with the identification of a “one-and-only” underlying pathogenetic trigger factor, with causal responsibility for the disease in each and every EoE patient. Rather, the relative contribution and importance of intrinsic susceptibility, i.e., patient-driven factors (genetics, aberrant immune response) and external trigger factors, such as food (or aero-) allergens as well as early childhood events (e.g., infection and exposure to antibiotics and other drugs) may substantially differ among given individuals with EoE. Accordingly, selection and treatment duration of medical therapy, success rates and extent of required restriction in dietary treatment, and the need for mechanical treatment to address strictures and stenosis require an individualized approach, tailored to each patient. With the advances of emerging treatment options, the importance of such an individualized and patient-centered assessment will increase even further.

Response of eosinophilic oesophagitis to proton pump inhibitors is associated with impedance-pH parameters implying anti-reflux mechanism of action

BACKGROUND

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are effective therapies for eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE), but the mechanism of action is uncertain. At on-PPI impedance-pH monitoring, improvement in oesophageal chemical clearance assessed with post-reflux swallow-induced peristaltic wave (PSPW) index characterises PPI-responsive EoE and reflux disease. Off-PPI, higher efficacy of the oesophago-salivary reflex as measured with PSPW-associated pH increments characterises PPI-responsive reflux disease and could typify PPI-responsive EoE as well.

AIM

To establish whether PPI responsiveness in EoE is associated with higher efficacy of the oesophago-salivary reflex.

METHODS

Prospective multicentre study in EoE patients investigated with impedance-pH monitoring before starting PPI. Impedance-pH parameters in PPI-responsive and PPI-refractory cases were compared. PPI response was defined histologically.

RESULTS

Considerable PSPW-associated pH increments (median 1.4 units) were found in 80 EoE patients, with significantly higher values in 48 PPI-responsive than in 32 PPI-refractory cases (1.8 vs 1.0, P = 0.02). Mucosal integrity, as measured with mean nocturnal baseline impedance was more severely impaired in the distal oesophagus in PPI-responsive cases, the gradient between mid and distal oesophagus being significantly higher (546 vs 137 Ω, P = 0.0002). PSPW-associated pH increments and the baseline impedance gradient between mid and distal oesophagus were independently associated with histological response at multivariable logistic regression; at receiver operating characteristic analysis, the area under the curve of PPI response calculated by combined assessment was 0.88.

CONCLUSION

Higher efficacy of oesophago-salivary reflex and more severe mucosal damage in the distal oesophagus are associated with EoE response to PPIs, implying an anti-reflux mechanism of action as most likely.

Dietary Management of Eosinophilic Esophagitis: Tailoring the Approach

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a unique form of non-immunoglobulin E-mediated food allergy, restricted to the esophagus, characterized by esophageal eosinophil-predominant inflammation and dysfunction. The diagnosis requires an esophago-gastroduodenoscopy with esophageal biopsies demonstrating active eosinophilic inflammation with 15 or more eosinophils/high-power field, following the exclusion of alternative causes of eosinophilia. Food allergens trigger the disease, withdairy/milk, wheat/gluten, egg, soy/legumes, and seafood the most common. Therapeutic strategies comprise dietary restrictions, proton pump inhibitors, topical corticosteroids, biologic agents, and esophageal dilation when strictures are present. However, avoidance of trigger foods remains the only option targeting the cause, and not the effect, of the disease. Because EoE relapses when treatment is withdrawn, dietary therapy offers a long-term, drug-free alternative to patients who wish to remain off drugs and still be in remission. There are currently multiple dietary management strategies to choose from, each having its specific efficacy, advantages, and disadvantages that both clinicians and patients should acknowledge. In addition, dietary regimens should be tailored around each individual patient to increase the chance of tolerability and long-term adherence. In general, liquid elemental diets devoid of antigens and elimination diets restricting causative foods are valuable options. Designing diets on the basis of food allergy skin tests results is not reliable and should be avoided. This review summarizes the most recent knowledge regarding the clinical use of dietary measures in EoE. We discussed endpoints, rationale, advantages and disadvantages, and tailoring of diets, as well as currently available dietary regimens for EoE.

Eosinophilic esophagitis: from pathophysiology to management

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) incidence and prevalence have sharply increased in the last decade; so, the management of these patients is changing rapidly. Standard regimens as elimination diet, proton pump inhibitors and topical swallowed steroids are not able to achieve remission in all patients. Moreover, loss of efficacy and safety concerns for long-term medical treatments are rising questions. As for other chronic immune-mediated diseases, biologics have been evaluated for the treatment of EoE. Several targets in the Th2-mediated inflammatory cascade with eosinophilic mucosal infiltration, have been tested with alternating results. This review provides a comprehensive discussion of the available studies evaluating biologics in EoE and the possible future options most desirable for these patients.

Nutritional approach to eosinophilic esophagitis: which diet and when

Dietary elimination therapy has been for a long time an option for patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and remains the only therapy targeting the cause of the disease. Different dietary approaches have been described along the last 3 decades, and cumulative evidence has defined the effectiveness and usefulness of each approach. Elemental diets are highly effective to induce EoE remission, but unpractical in most patients. Allergy testing-directed food restrictions resulted inefficient to induce remission in a significant proportion of patients (especially adults) and show a low concordance with the dietary causes of EoE. Empiric elimination diets are currently considered the most effective drug-free treatment for patients of all ages with EoE, after widely providing reproducible results. Highly restrictive empiric six-food elimination diets have paved the way to most efficient and less restrictive step-up approaches, which now include four-food and two-food elimination diets. The potential role of milk-elimination, especially in children, should be also considered. Multiple factors including demographics, nutritional status, patient and family lifestyles, social and financial support, and acceptance of repeated endoscopies influence the results of dietary therapy. Dietary therapy in EoE should be patient centered, and the patients and/or their families together with the medical provider should participate in the decision to set up this treatment. This article updates recent knowledge on dietary therapy for EoE and provides guideline to choose the most suitable alternative for patients with EoE, as well as practical tips to achieve the best results in clinical practice.

Long-term Continued Proton Pump Inhibitor Use is Common in Patients Diagnosed with Eosinophilic Esophagitis Despite Failure of Histologic Response: Data from a two-centre study: Long-term PPI Use in Patients with EoE

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Treatment paradigms for proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) are evolving. We aimed to determine patterns of long-term PPI use after EoE diagnosis in PPI histologic non-responders.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review at University of Colorado (UCH) and University of North Carolina (UNC) of EoE patients who were histologic non-responders to PPIs. Data were extracted from electronic medical records related to demographics, PPI use, and reasons for continuing or stopping PPI.

RESULTS

Of 67 patients in the UCH cohort, PPIs were initially discontinued in 9 (13%). Of 58 remaining on PPI, 48% were not instructed to discontinue therapy and 26% continued for symptom improvement. Of 675 patients at UNC, PPI was stopped in 185 (27%). Of patients remaining on PPI, 15% were not told to discontinue therapy and 62% were continued for symptom improvement. At last contact, >50% of patients remained on PPI at both centres with most common reasons for continuation being symptom improvement and not telling patients to discontinue. In the UNC cohort, clinical features associated with remaining on PPI included children younger than 18 years (p=0.01), males (p<0.001), heartburn symptoms (p<0.001) and hiatal hernia (p=0.004). Patients with dysphagia were less likely to remain on PPIs (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term PPI use is common in EoE patients even without histologic response. Failure to instruct patients to discontinue therapy was a common reason for long-term use, thus PPI use should be revisited in all EoE patients to confirm clinical benefit.