The Role of Proton Pump Inhibitors in the Management of Pediatric Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Children with eosinophilic esophagitis non-responsive to combination therapy have distinct esophageal transcriptomic and microbiome profile

BACKGROUND

A combination of proton-pump inhibitors (PPI) and topical steroids (TS) is used to treat children with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). However, a subset of children do not respond to this combination therapy. We aimed to identify the esophageal transcriptional, cell composition, and microbial differences between the non-responders (EoE-PPI-TSnr; n = 7) and responders (EoE-PPI-TSr; n = 7) to the combination therapy for EoE and controls (n = 9) using metatranscriptomics.

METHODS

Differential gene expression analysis was used to identify transcriptional differences, validated using the EoE diagnostic panel (EDP). Deconvolution analysis was performed to identify differences in their cell type composition. Microbiome analysis was conducted from esophageal biopsies RNAseq data, and microbial abundance was correlated with esophageal gene expression.

RESULTS

In all, 3164 upregulated and 3154 downregulated genes distinguished EoE-PPI-TSnr from EoE-PPI-TSr. Eosinophilic inflammatory response, cytokine signaling, and collagen formation pathways were significantly upregulated in EoE-PPI-TSnr. There was a 56% overlap in dysregulated genes between EoE-PPI-TSnr and EDP, with a perfect agreement in the directionality of modulation. Eosinophils, dendritic cells (DCs), immature DCs, megakaryocytic-erythroid progenitors, and T helper type 1 cells were significantly higher in EoE-PPI-TSnr. There was no significant difference in microbiome diversity. The relative abundance of Fusobacterium sp. and Acinetobacter sp. notably differed in EoE-PPI-TSnr and correlated with the key pathways.

CONCLUSION

Our results provide critical insights into the molecular, cellular, and microbial factors associated with the lack of response to PPI and TS combination therapy in children with EoE. This study advances our understanding of the pathobiology of EoE while guiding personalized treatment strategies.

High prevalence of response to PPI treatment in children and adolescents with eosinophilic esophagitis in southern Brazil

Introduction

Eosinophilic esophagitis is a newly recognized entity, in which there is significant evidence available that clearly demonstrates the positive impact of PPIs on reducing esophageal eosinophilia in individuals across different age groups, including children, adolescents, and adults. Multiple mechanisms have been proposed to explain how this treatment effect occurs. In Brazil, there seems to be a lack of studies that have prospectively assessed the clinical and therapeutic response rate in pediatric patients with EoE. The objective of this study was to prospectively evaluate the clinical and therapeutic response of pediatric patients with EoE in a medical center located in southern Brazil, by investigating the effectiveness of PPI treatment.

Methods

This study is a clinical, prospective, open trial that took place in a pediatric hospital located in southern Brazil. The focus of the study was on patients diagnosed with Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) who were given treatment using omeprazole/esomeprazole at a dosage of 1 mg.kg per dose, twice daily, for a period of 8-12 weeks. Following the treatment period, the patients underwent another endoscopy. Patients who exhibited 15 or less eosinophils in the biopsy conducted after the treatment were considered as responders.

Results

A total of 27 patients was evaluated (74.1% boys). The average age (± standard deviation) was 8 years (±4). Nineteen patients (70.3%) were considered as responders to PPI treatment: 6 patients-22.2%-exhibited a complete response (defined as having 5 or fewer eosinophil per high power field. Additionally, 13 patients-48.1%-demonstrated a partial response, characterized by eosinophil counts exceeding 5 but less than 15 eos/hpf. When comparing the responder and non-responder groups at presentation, a statistical difference was observed in the prevalence of food refusal as a presenting symptom. Food refusal was found to be more prevalent in the non-responder group (87.5% vs. 26.3%, P = 0.008). No differences were observed in terms of atopy history and endoscopic scores. Upon comparing the histological findings from the post-treatment endoscopy of the two groups, it was observed that PPI responders exhibited a greater tendency to decrease basal cell hyperplasia (P = 0.06) and intercellular edema (P = 0.08).

Conclusion

In this group of pediatric patients with EoE in Southern Brazil most patients showed a high prevalence of histological, endoscopic, and clinical response to PPI treatment. PPIs showed efficacy in Brazilian patients with EoE, most of whom would probably not be able to adequately undergo other treatments.

Clinical Trial Registration

https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-2ntbth9, identifier (U1111-1301-1842).

Pediatric eosinophilic esophagitis outcomes vary with co-morbid eczema and pollen food syndrome

Background

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disease characterized by eosinophil inflammation of the esophagus. It has been described as a component of the Allergic March and is often seen with other atopic diseases. Some atopic diseases, including asthma, are known to be heterogenous with endotypes that guide treatment. Similarly, we propose that EoE is a heterogenous disease with varying phenotypes and endotypes that might impact response to therapy.

Methods

A single-center retrospective review of pediatric patients ≤18 years of age diagnosed with EoE was conducted. All gastrointestinal clinic visits and esophagogastroduodenoscopies (EGD) from disease presentation through the first three years after diagnosis were reviewed. Histologic remission rate and therapies utilized [proton pump inhibitor (PPI), topical steroid, dietary elimination] were assessed.

Results

One hundred and thirty-seven patients were included, 80% of whom had at least one concurrent atopic condition at diagnosis, with food allergies being the most common (57%) followed by eczema (34%), and asthma (29%). The remission rate of the overall cohort was 65%, and by concurrent allergy, comorbid pollen food syndrome and eczema had the highest remission rates at 100% and 81%, respectively followed by asthma (62%), food allergies (62%), seasonal allergic rhinitis (60%), and history of anaphylaxis (56%). Kaplan-Meier curves for each atopic condition show that patients with eczema and pollen food syndrome achieve histologic remission faster than those without. All treatment modalities were more successful in patients with eczema than those without, and PPI was most effective treatment at inducing remission.

Conclusions

In a real-world pediatric cohort, 80% of patients with EoE had an underlying atopic condition. Patients with eczema and pollen food syndrome had a swifter response and were more likely to achieve histologic remission than patients with other atopic conditions. This study suggests that EoE, like other allergic diseases, may have heterogenous phenotypes that could affect response to treatment. There is currently a knowledge gap in classifying EoE based on endotypes and phenotypes at diagnosis and correlating responses to various treatment modalities.

Long-term efficacy of proton pump inhibitors as a treatment modality for eosinophilic esophagitis

BACKGROUND

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are a first-line treatment for EoE, but data are limited concerning response durability. We aimed to determine long-term outcomes in EoE patients responsive to PPI-therapy.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of newly diagnosed adults with EoE who had initial histologic response (<15 eosinophils per high-power-field) to PPI-only therapy. We extracted data regarding their subsequent clinical course and outcomes. We compared findings between the initial PPI-response endoscopy and the final endoscopy, and assessed factors associated with loss of PPI response.

RESULTS

Of 138 EoE patients with initial histologic response to PPI, 50 had long-term endoscopic follow-up, 40 had clinical follow-up, 10 changed treatments, and 38 had no long-term follow-up. Of those with endoscopic follow-up, mean follow-up-time was 3.6 ± 2.9 years; 30 and 32 patients (60%; 64%) maintained histologic and symptom responses, respectively. However, fibrotic endoscopic findings of EoE were unchanged. Younger age (aOR 1.05, 95% CI: 1.01-1.11) and dilation prior to PPI treatment (aOR 0.21, 95% CI: 0.05-0.83) were the only factors associated with long-term loss of PPI response.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term histologic and clinical response rates for PPI therapy were 60% and 64%, respectively. Younger age and dilation at baseline were associated with histologic loss of response. These data can inform long-term EoE treatment selection.

British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) and British Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (BSPGHAN) joint consensus guidelines on the diagnosis and management of eosinophilic oesophagitis in children and adults

BACKGROUND

Eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) is an increasingly common cause of dysphagia in both children and adults, as well as one of the most prevalent oesophageal diseases with a significant impact on physical health and quality of life. We have provided a single comprehensive guideline for both paediatric and adult gastroenterologists on current best practice for the evaluation and management of EoE.

METHODS

The Oesophageal Section of the British Society of Gastroenterology was commissioned by the Clinical Standards Service Committee to develop these guidelines. The Guideline Development Group included adult and paediatric gastroenterologists, surgeons, dietitians, allergists, pathologists and patient representatives. The Population, Intervention, Comparator and Outcomes process was used to generate questions for a systematic review of the evidence. Published evidence was reviewed and updated to June 2021. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system was used to assess the evidence and make recommendations. Two rounds of voting were held to assess the level of agreement and the strength of recommendations, with 80% consensus required for acceptance.

RESULTS

Fifty-seven statements on EoE presentation, diagnosis, investigation, management and complications were produced with further statements created on areas for future research.

CONCLUSIONS

These comprehensive adult and paediatric guidelines of the British Society of Gastroenterology and British Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition are based on evidence and expert consensus from a multidisciplinary group of healthcare professionals, including patient advocates and patient support groups, to help clinicians with the management patients with EoE and its complications.

Eosinophilic esophagitis: A review of the pediatric population and consideration of upcoming therapies

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a disease entity that has become increasingly recognized in the pediatric population over the last decade and was first recognized as early as 1990. EoE is a clinicopathologic diagnosis with signs and symptoms varying between age groups. The clinical presentation of EoE is variable ranging from milder nonspecific symptoms, such as abdominal pain, vomiting, and dyspepsia, to more severe presentations such as failure to thrive, dysphagia and even food impaction and is dependent on age of diagnosis 2. There is growing body of evidence with regards to the pathophysiology, diagnostic modalities, and treatment options for EoE in the past decade. In this review article, we aim to discuss the disease burden, pathophysiology, diagnostic strategies, and currently available treatment options for EoE based on existing literature.

STAT6 Variants Associate With Relapse of Eosinophilic Esophagitis in Patients Receiving Long-term Proton Pump Inhibitor Therapy

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Based on histologic features, variants in STAT6 are associated with a poor initial response to proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy in pediatric patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). We investigated whether these genetic variants are associated with a poor long-term response in children with EoE who initially responded to PPI therapy.

METHODS

We performed a prospective longitudinal cohort study of children ages 2 to 16 years who met the diagnostic criteria for EoE (≥15 eosinophils/high-power field [eos/hpf]), responded to 8 weeks of treatment with 2 mg/kg/d PPI (<15 eos/hpf), and whose dose then was reduced to 1 mg/kg/d PPI (maintenance therapy) for 1 year, at which point biopsy specimens were collected by endoscopy. Genomic DNA was isolated from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded biopsy tissue and was genotyped for variants of STAT6. Remission of inflammation was assessed at eos/hpf thresholds of <15 and ≤5.

RESULTS

Among 73 patients who received 1 mg/kg/d PPI maintenance therapy for 1 year, 13 patients (18%) had 6 to 14 eos/hpf, 36 patients (49%) had 5 or fewer eos/hpf, and 24 patients (33%) relapsed to EoE (≥15 eos/hpf). Carriage of any of 3 STAT6 variants in linkage disequilibrium (r² ≥0.8; rs324011, rs167769, or rs12368672) was associated with a 2.3- to 2.8-fold increase in the odds of EoE relapse, and with a 2.8- to 4.1-fold increase in the odds of having 6 to 14 eos/hpf. For rs324011, the odds ratio [95% CI] for relapse was 2.77 [1.11, 6.92]; P = .029, and the odds ratio [95% CI] for having 6 to 14 eos/hpf was 3.06 [1.27, 7.36]; P = .012.

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric EoE patients who initially respond to PPI therapy and carry STAT6 variants rs324011, rs167769, or rs12368672 are at increased risk of relapse after 1 year of PPI maintenance therapy.

Current updates in diagnosis and management of eosinophilic esophagitis

Eosinophilic esophagitis is a relatively new, moderately-well understood disease. It is one of the leading causes of dysphagia in the pediatric population. Thought to be triggered by food ingestion, it is distinctly different from food allergies. Although endoscopy is required for diagnosis, this article will review warning signs and symptoms that aid with evaluation and diagnosis of this disease. Treatment modalities and management are evolving and more research is needed.

Eosinophilic esophagitis in esophageal atresia: Tertiary care experience of a "selective" approach for biopsy sampling

BACKGROUND

A high prevalence (9.5-30%) of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) in patients with esophageal atresia (EA) has been reported. The application of the EoE criteria to EA patients might be problematic. To date, only studies using a "routine" biopsy approach, even in asymptomatic patients, have been performed. The aim of the study was to establish the prevalence of EoE among symptomatic EA patients (EA/EoE group) without anastomotic stricture (AS) and to compare their characteristics with those of EoE patients from general population (EoE group).

METHODS

From 2005 to 2018, we reviewed charts of children with EA and EoE. "Selective" biopsy approach only in EA children without AS and/or endoscopic feature of EoE was performed. Characteristics of EA/EoE and EoE groups were compared.

RESULTS

Among 370 EA and 118 EoE, 15 EA/EoE patients were detected (4.0% of EA patients). Male predominance and a high prevalence of allergy without differences between EA/EoE and EoE groups was observed. EA/EoE children were significantly younger (p < 0.0001). PPI-responder patients were significantly more prevalent in EA/EoE group (p = 0.045).

CONCLUSION

Our data confirm that EA patients are at high risk for developing EoE. High incidence, early onset, and high prevalence of PPI-responders might suggest that esophageal motility disorders interact to increase propensity to EoE in EA patients. However, our study also suggests that overdiagnosis of EoE may occur in EA and that adapted criteria for EoE diagnosis should be developed for EA patients.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Not applicable for this retrospective study.

Eosinophilic esophagitis in children: current knowledge to open new horizons

Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic immune/antigen-mediated condition which is also driven by genetic and environmental factors. It has been deeply investigated over the last years and its incidence is widely increasing in childhood. Although atopic diseases are closely linked with EoE, it does not recognize a classical IgE-mediate immune pathogenesis but it is rather a T helper type 2 inflammatory process. Familial clustering supports genetic predisposition in EoE and recent advances in understanding the genetic basis for EoE may eventually translate into targeted management of the disease. EoE diagnosis is based on clinical symptoms, micro, and macroscopic findings along with exclusion of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) evidence. Management of the disease encompasses both dietary and pharmacological solutions that need to be specifically targeted on patients' history, clinical symptoms, and diagnostic evaluations. New therapies, currently not available in children, may represent the basis for future therapeutic options in the next years.

Clinical analysis of eosinophilic gastroenteritis

AIM

To analyze the clinical features, diagnosis, and prognosis of eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EG).

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed of clinical data of 88 cases with EG at our hospital between June 2013 and August 2018.

RESULTS

Eighty-eight patients were included, with a male to female ratio of 1.2:1. The patients ranged in age from 14 to 73 years, with a mean age 45.1 years. Abdominal pain was the most common symptom, 73.3% of patients had positive allergen screening results, and some patients had negative endoscopic findings. Common endoscopic abnormalities were mainly congestion, erosion, ulcers, polyps and so on, and pathological examination revealed a large number of eosinophils infiltrated in the gastrointestinal tract, with the highest average value detected in the cecum. Treatment with proton pump inhibitors was effective. Glucocorticoid therapy was useful, but the disease could recur.

CONCLUSION

The pathogenesis of EG is still unclear, although it is known that allergens play an important role in it. The clinical manifestations are atypical. An increase of eosinophilic granulocytes in peripheral blood and bone marrow smear can support the diagnosis. Imaging and endoscopic manifestations are not specific. Pathology is the key to diagnosis. Glucocorticoid therapy can obtain good results, but there have been no unified criteria on the specific dosage and course of treatment .