Dr. Harry Snady accepting patients for clinical trial to treat
cancer-causing condition related to acid reflux
HOBOKEN, NJ, December 2, 2008 — A Hoboken University Medical Center physician is taking the lead in pioneering a new treatment for the dysplasia, or pre-cancerous cell changes, which may develop in patients with Barrett’s esophagus, a condition related to acid reflux. This dysplasia can progress to a deadly type of cancer.
Harry Snady, MD PhD, a gastroenterologist and noted research scientist, is participating
in groundbreaking clinical trials to treat this Barrett’s dysplasia, which is estimated to affect
three hundred thousand of the approximately three million people in the United States who have Barrett’s. Just having Barrett’s alone raises the lifetime risk of esophageal cancer to at least one in twenty, higher than the risk for getting any other form of cancer, or even a heart attack, while those with high-grade dysplasia have at least a 30 -50% risk.
Hoboken UMC is the only New Jersey hospital taking part in the study, which is being conducted at 14 other sites around the nation, including the Cleveland Clinic, Duke University, the University of North Carolina, the University of Pittsburgh, and others.
“What’s really amazing is how well this works. It’s astounding,” said Dr. Snady, who has offices in Hoboken and West New York, as well as Manhattan. “It’s really remarkable because the dysplasia can be eliminated without surgery, and almost nobody gets side effects.”
With the code name of “ICE”, the treatment uses cryotherapy, a form of “treatment by freezing”. The freezing agent is delivered endoscopically, via remote control and a fiberoptic viewing system, to the affected area through a catheter. Within several days, the treated tissue sloughs off and healthy tissue takes its place.
“Like an artist,” Snady explained, “you ‘paint’ the areas where there is abnormal tissue. When you remove the top layer of cells, the tissue underneath is normal.”
The older alternatives to invasive surgery for treating Barrett’s dysplasia involve burning the esophagus, which can cause significant discomfort as well as swallowing problems and other complications.
Snady reported that patients he has treated with cryotherapy have experienced little or no discomfort and no side effects. They may require several treatments, scheduled about six to eight weeks apart. The check-ups usually advised for the condition are a requirement of the study’s protocol, to demonstrate that the condition doesn’t return.
Barrett’s esophagus develops primarily as a result of acid reflux disease, also known as GERD. While people with Barrett’s esophagus sometimes have no specific symptoms, they often report experiencing heartburn more frequently than several times a week, have a chronic cough or have symptoms similar to asthma, according to Snady.
“But half of patients who get esophageal cancer were not aware of any symptoms, so it can be tricky to catch early,” Snady explained.
Affiliated with Hoboken UMC and a Fellow of the American College of Gastroenterology since 1984, Dr. Snady has also pioneered other digestive health innovations during his career. He was among the handful of U.S. researchers to first provide endoscopic ultrasound, a technique he was instrumental in developing as the current standard of care for diagnosing pancreatic and biliary disorders. Endoscopic ultrasound is also the best modality to determine which patients with high-grade, or advanced, dysplasia, or with early esophageal cancers qualify for cryotherapy. Very few experts specialize in both endoscopic ultrasound and ICE.
To qualify for the clinical trial, patients must have Barrett’s esophagus with superficial pre-cancerous cells and no invasive spread. For patients with high-grade dysplasia, endoscopic ultrasound is required to ensure that there is no invasive cancer already present. People with heart instability or certain rare genetic diseases may not qualify. Patients whose dysplasia has already progressed to esophageal cancer can be treated with ICE as long as the cancer is still superficial.
To schedule an appointment, call Dr. Snady’s office at (201) 348-9200.
About Hoboken University Medical Center
Hoboken University Medical Center is a 328-bed facility located in the heart of Hoboken. It is the oldest continuing hospital in New Jersey, and it possesses some of the area’s best doctors and nurses, the latest in medical technology, and a host of medical specialties to treat people of all ages and ailments. Hoboken UMC was recently named Hospital of the Year by NJBIZ and holds a Gold Seal of Approval for high quality patient care and safety from the Joint Commission on Health Care.
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