Precision medicine in achalasia – premedia

Ended Cooperative Agreement Awarded Last action

Award ID
U34DK136922
Recipient
Awarding agency
Obligated
$388,583

Award facts

Completion date
Originally
Place of performance
Illinois, USA

Award details come from USAspending.gov.

Description

Abstract
An interruption in the normal swallowing mechanism due to abnormal neuromuscular function in the esophageal body or the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is associated with significant morbidity and quality of life impact, as well as increased mortality related to malnutrition, aspiration and cancer. Achalasia is the prototypical esophageal motility disorder and has an incidence of 1-5 per 100,000 and a prevalence of 10-20 per 100,000. Unfortunately, the cause of achalasia is unknown and the current therapies are primarily compensatory in nature and focus on disrupting the LES to improve emptying using either endoscopic dilation or surgical myotomy. Over the last 5 years, there has been an evolution away from dilation and surgery toward per oral endoscopic myotomy (poem) due to its less invasive approach compared to surgery and its superior efficacy compared to dilation. However, important questions regarding the effectiveness and risks of poem remain and the impact of the myotomy approach (position, length, depth) on outcomes is also unclear. The standard poem myotomy is typically 8-10 CM in length, extending 2-3 CM into the cardia and approximately 6-7 CM above the squamocolumnar junction and IT is performed with either a transmural or superficial approach targeting only the circular muscle. We recently reported that blown out myotomy (BOM) is a common mechanism of achalasia treatment failure related to focal dilatation along the myotomy site that profoundly impairs emptying. The scientific premise of this study is that the current arbitrary approach to myotomy in poem is associated with a predilection to increased gerd and BOM formation through its effects on the distal esophagus. We hypothesize that an innovative precision approach with poem can improve outcomes and reduce complications. Thus, we are proposing a multicenter randomized trial (aim 1) to test the hypothesis that a short, tailored poem will be non-inferior to the standard poem and associated with less reflux disease and a reduction in BOM formation. Additionally, we will also aim to better understand outcomes in jackhammer esophagus and spastic motility disorders through a rigorous prospective study (aim 2) assessing response to a long tailored myotomy. Using data and samples from study participants, we also aim to refine and validate a new achalasia patient reported outcome (apro) measure (aim 3) and establish a repository of biological specimens to help elucidate the pathophysiology of achalasia. This study will reshape the management of esophageal motility disorders and improve our understanding of the pathogenesis of these disorders by sharing specimens with translational scientists focused on neurogastroenterology.

Transactions

Action Obligated Date
Amendment -$995
Original award $389,578

Subawards

Subrecipient Amount Awarded
Vanderbilt University Medical Center PREcision MEDicine In Achalasia--PREMEDIA $42,011
The Medical University Of South Carolina Precision Medicine in Achalasia--PREMEDIA $69,466

Quick answers

Who received award U34DK136922?

U34DK136922 was awarded to Northwestern University by National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (National Institutes of Health) on September 1, 2023.

How much is award U34DK136922 worth?

$388,583 has been obligated on U34DK136922.

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