Study finds genetic analysis can aid treatment of eosinophilic Esophagitis

Personalized medicine—where the proper medicine and proper dose are used for the individual patient—moved a step closer to reality for children suffering from eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), an inflammation of the food pipe often caused by an allergic reaction to certain foods. The study, led by researchers from Nemours Children's Health System and published today in the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition, suggests that a simple genetic test from a saliva sample may greatly boost response rates in children with eosinophilic esophagitis who are treated with a class of medications called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which are commonly prescribed to treat acid-related conditions.