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Esophageal Cancer pp 113–125Cite as

Chemoprevention of Esophageal Cancer

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Abstract

Chemoprevention of cancer is an emerging field: using well-known supplements or medications to prevent carcinoma before invasion. Numerous agents are being studied to try to prevent esophageal malignancy given its high burden of mortality and late stage at diagnosis.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), widely used in symptom management, have a role in controlling the progression of Barrett’s esophagus. Studies have moved towards defining optimum dosing required for PPIs as a chemopreventive agent.

Aspirin is implicated in preventing esophageal cancer via pathways including COX inhibition and beta-catenin. Its use for colorectal cancer prevention is already clear, and its use in cardiovascular disease gives it promise as a cheap, multi-disease agent.

Statins hold promise as an agent that can both benefit cardiovascular disease and prevent cancer. Studies show links with esophageal cancer, although safety concerns and numbers needed to treat are so far high.

Metformin is linked with reduced numbers of all cancers in diabetic patients. Its role in esophageal chemoprevention is still being explored, but helping to prevent other factors such as diabetes and obesity could augment this.

Further high-quality studies are required, and risk stratification of patients at higher cancer potential is likely to shape the use of chemoprevention in the future.

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Acknowledgement

Funding: Cancer Research UK, Royal College of Surgeons Ireland.

Declaration of Interests: Prof. Jankowski is the Chief Investigator for the Aspect trial.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Wrightington Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust, Leigh, UK

    Elizabeth G. Ratcliffe

  2. East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, Blackburn, UK

    Mohamed Shibeika

  3. University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, Lancaster, UK

    Andrew D. Higham

  4. Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Trust, Sutton in Ashfield, UK

    Janusz A. Jankowski

  5. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, London, UK

    Janusz A. Jankowski

  6. University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK

    Janusz A. Jankowski

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  1. Elizabeth G. Ratcliffe
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  4. Janusz A. Jankowski
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Correspondence to Janusz A. Jankowski .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Nabil F. Saba

  2. Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Bassel F. El-Rayes

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Ratcliffe, E.G., Shibeika, M., Higham, A.D., Jankowski, J.A. (2020). Chemoprevention of Esophageal Cancer. In: Saba, N., El-Rayes, B. (eds) Esophageal Cancer. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-29832-6_5

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