Digestive Disease Week (DDW) is the biggest and  most prestigious meeting in the world for GI professionals. DDW 2023 will be held on May 6-9 in Chicago and will cover the latest research and clinical information in the fields of gastroenterology, endoscopy, liver disease and surgery. DDW attracts researchers, physicians, and academics worldwide, and is sponsored by four societies:

Baylor Scott & White Research Institute investigators and clinicians on the medical staff at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas will be involved in various presentations, scheduled talks, education sessions and discussions. Research will be presented from physicians, scientists and students from across Baylor Scott & White Health, including Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Temple and Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas.

A snapshot of talks and presentations with Baylor Scott & White involvement can be found below. Additional details about the annual meeting are on the event website.

 

Stuart Spechler, MD, Chief of Gastroenterology at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas and co-director of the Center for Esophageal Research at Baylor Scott & White Research Institute provides overview of Baylor Scott & White’s participation at Digestive Disease Week 2023

Highlights:

Rhonda Souza, MD, co-director of the Center for Esophageal Research at Baylor Scott & White Research Institute invites you to join a discussion on “Barrett’s Esophagus.”

Stuart Spechler, MD, Chief of Gastroenterology at Baylor University of Medical Center at Dallas participates in discussion on “Mechanisms for Esophageal Smooth Muscle Dysfunction In Eosinophilic Esophagitis.”

 


FEATURED PRESENTATIONS AND SESSIONS

SATURDAY, MAY 6, 2023

ORAL ABSTRACT: IL-13/IL4Rα Signaling Causes Human Circular Esophageal Smooth Muscle Cells to Remodel the Extracellular Matrix: A Potential Contribution to Reduced Esophageal Distensibility in EoE

  • Author: Melissa Nelson MD

  • Time: 12:30-1:30 p.m. CST

  • Abstract/Study Purpose: In eosinophilic esophagitis, distensibility of the esophagus is impaired, which leads to the development of dysphagia and food impaction. This impaired distensibility has been attributed to fibrosis and inflammation, but researchers in the Baylor Scott & White Center for Esophageal Research have found that Th2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-13), which are elevated in the esophagus of patients with eosinophilic esophagitis, have direct effects on esophageal muscle that might contribute substantially to reduce esophageal distensibility.

  • For More Information:  Click Here

     

ORAL ABSTRACT: In Human Esophageal Circular Smooth Muscle Cells, IL-4 Receptor Alpha Blockade Decreases Eotaxin-3 Production, CPI-17 mRNA Expression, and Tension Induced by Th2 Cytokines

  • Author: Xi Zhang, MD

  • Time: 12:30-1:30 p.m. CST

  • Abstract/Study Purpose: Researchers in the Baylor Scott & White Center for Esophageal Research have found that Th2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-13), which are elevated in the esophagus of patients with eosinophilic esophagitis, have direct effects on esophageal muscle that might contribute substantially to reduce esophageal distensibility.  Dr. Zhang has found that an IL-4 receptor blocking antibody (similar to dupilumab) can block those effects on esophageal muscle.

  • For More Information:  Click Here

     

SUNDAY, MAY 7, 2023

SESSION: Barrett’s Esophagus

  • Speaker: Rhonda Souza, MD

  • Time: 4:00-5:30 p.m. CST

  • Presentation: Dr. Souza will present to an audience of trainees/fellows/junior faculty at this session on how she built her research career in Barrett’s esophagus and why she thinks that this topic remains an important and interesting research area with still unanswered questions. After a series of talks, Dr. Souza will lead a small group of people interested in research in Barrett’s esophagus to provide advice and mentorship and engage young researchers.

  • For More Information: Click Here

     

MONDAY, MAY 8, 2023

SESSION: AASLD Stump The Hepatologist

  • Moderator: Ranjeeta Bahirwani, MD

  • Time: 4:00-5:30 p.m. CST

  • Learning Objectives: Goal is to educate participants on the approach to evaluation of patients with varied presentations of liver disease.

  • For More Information: Click Here

     

TUESDAY, MAY 9, 2023

ORAL ABSTRACT: In Barrett’s Epithelial Cells, APE1/Ref-1 Redox Function Mediates Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Induced by Acidic Bile Salt Solutions

  • Author: Gabriella Alvarez

  • Time: 8:15-8:30 a.m. CST

  • Abstract/Study Purpose: Subsquamous intestinal metaplasia, the condition in which Barrett’s glands are present in the lamina propria underneath squamous epithelium, might be the source of tumors missed by endoscopic surveillance and the source of recurrent Barrett’s esophagus after endoscopic eradication therapy. Researchers in the Baylor Scott & White Center for Esophageal Research have found that refluxed acid and bile trigger a series of molecular events, mediated by the enzyme APE1/Ref-1, in Barrett’s cells that result in epithelial-mesenchymal transition. This enables Barrett’s cells to migrate out of the epithelium and into the lamina propria, thus forming SSIM.

  • For More Information:  Click Here

     

ORAL ABSTRACT: Differences in Esophageal Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-2α Levels and Nerve Distribution Between Barrett’s Esophagus and NERD Patients off Proton Pump Inhibitor Therapy

  • Author: Quiyang Zhang, PhD

  • Time: 8:30-8:45 a.m. CST

  • Abstract/Study Purpose: Subsquamous intestinal metaplasia (SSIM), the condition in which Barrett’s glands are present in the lamina propria underneath squamous epithelium, might be the source of tumors missed by endoscopic surveillance and the source of recurrent Barrett’s esophagus after endoscopic eradication therapy. Researchers in the Baylor Scott & White Center for Esophageal Research have found that subsquamous intestinal metaplasia might develop through the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, which enables Barrett’s cells to migrate out of the epithelium and into the lamina propria, thus forming SSIM.

  • For More Information:  Click Here

     

ORAL ABSTRACT: – Differences in Esophageal Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-2α Levels and Nerve Distribution Between Barrett’s Esophagus and NERD Patients off Proton Pump Inhibitor Therapy

  • Author: Shere Paris, PhD

  • Time: 12:30-1:30 p.m. CST

  • Abstract/Study Purpose: It has not been clear how reflux causes heartburn in patients with non-erosive reflux disease (NERD). In earlier studies, researchers in the Baylor Scott & White Center for Esophageal Research showed that GERD develops when refluxed acid and bile activate HIF-2α in esophageal epithelial cells. In biopsy specimens taken from patients with NERD who had PPIs stopped for 2 weeks, the researchers found that HIF-2α levels increased primarily in basally-located cells, but not in cells located close to nerve fibers in the superficial layers of the epithelium. These data suggest that heartburn in NERD patients is due to stimulation of superficial esophageal nerves directly by reflux gastric material.

  • For More Information:  Click Here

     

ORAL ABSTRACT: The Esophagogastric Junction Fat Pad of Obese Individuals Causes Esophageal Squamous Cells to Secrete IL-1β and Impairs Esophageal Barrier Function via Activation of HIF-2α

  • Research Collaborator: Ishani Kale

  • Time: 12:30-1:30 p.m. CST

  • Abstract/Study Purpose: Dilated intercellular spaces (DIS) and impaired esophageal barrier function, which are well established features of GERD, can be found in obese individuals without GERD for unknown reasons. Researchers in the Baylor Scott & White Center for Esophageal Research have found that substances produced by the fat that surrounds the distal esophagus impair esophageal barrier function and cause esophageal epithelial cells to secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines.

  • For More Information: Click Here

     

SESSION: Mechanisms for Esophageal Smooth Muscle Dysfunction in Eosinophilic Esophagitis

  • Speaker: Stuart Spechler, MD

  • Moderator: Rhonda Souza, MD

  • Time: 4:00-5:30 p.m. CST

  • Presentation: Dr. Spechler will present data from the Baylor Scott & White Center for Esophageal Research on why proton pump inhibitors, which are used frequently to treat eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), might not be effective for EoE patients who have eosinophils involving their esophageal muscle.

  • For More Information: Click Here

     

SESSION: Achalasia is Strongly Associated with Eosinophilic Esophagitis and Other Allergic Disorders

  • Speaker: Chanakyaram Reddy, MD, medical director of the GI Physiology Lab at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas

  • Moderator: Rhonda Souza, MD

  • Time: 4:00-5:30 p.m. CST

  • Presentation: Physicians in the Baylor Scott & White Center for Esophageal Research have proposed that allergy might be what causes achalasia and other motility disorders of the esophagus.  In collaboration with researchers at the University of Utah, Dr. Reddy has found profoundly increased risks for eosinophilic esophagitis and other allergic disorders in patients with achalasia.  These findings could have important implications for the treatment of patients with esophageal motility disorders.

  • For More Information: Click Here

     

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