Link of HPV in Barrett’s Oesophagus and Adenocarcinoma; Are We There Yet?, and
Barrett’s Oesophagus, HPV & Oesophageal Cancer
Date Presented:
15/09/2021
Topic Summary
Oesophageal adenocarcinoma is currently the sixth leading cause of cancer related deaths world wise. Despite current advances, patients often present late in their disease by the time symptoms occur. Since the 1970s there has been a seven fold increase in incidence. Given the malignancy often is seen to arise from the junction between oesophageal and stomach mucosa, we hypothesised that chronic infection with HPV may lead to dysplasia followed by malignancy in a similar fashion seen in cervical cancer. This presentation will discuss chronic HPV infection and our work in detecting high risk HPV and surrogate biomarkers in subjects with oesophageal cancer and the pre-malignant condition of Barrett’s Oesophagus.
Meet the Speakers
Dr Kostas Brooks
Dr Kostas Brooks is a Gastroenterology and Hepatology Fellow at Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital. After completing his studies at UNSW and attaining a BMed MD, he went on to complete his internship and residency at Concord Repatriation General Hospital. Subsequently he has commenced his Advanced Training in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Prince of Wales Hospital followed by subspecialty training at Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital. Whilst at Bankstown-Lidcombe hospital with exposure to Barrett’s oesophagus, he has engaged Prof Rajendra GI Viral-Oncology group to pursue a PhD on the role of high-risk HPV in oesophageal adenocarcinoma and associated lymph nodes. Dr Brooks has a keen interest in providing cancer detection, surveillance and both therapeutic and palliative interventions.