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Updated: Apr 11, 2026

An Immunofluorescent Method for Characterization of Barrett’s Esophagus Cells
Published on: July 20, 2014
The Effect of Proton Pump Inhibitors on Barrett's Esophagus
Kerry B Dunbar1, Rhonda F Souza1, Stuart J Spechler1
1Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Dallas VA Medical Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 4500 South Lancaster Road, GI Lab - CA-111-B1, Dallas, TX 75231, USA.
Abstract:
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may protect against carcinogenesis in Barrett's esophagus because they eliminate the chronic esophageal inflammation of reflux esophagitis, and because they decrease esophageal exposure to acid, which can cause cancer-promoting DNA damage and increase proliferation in Barrett's metaplasia. Most clinical studies of PPIs and cancer development in Barrett's esophagus have found a cancer-protective effect for these drugs, although there are some contradictory data. Chemoprevention of dysplasia and cancer in Barrett's esophagus with PPIs appears to be cost-effective, and the indirect evidence supporting a cancer-protective role for PPIs is strong enough to warrant PPI treatment of virtually all patients with Barrett's esophagus.
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