ISDE News

The International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus (ISDE) is thrilled to announce Marcel Schneider from the Department of Surgery at University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland, as the winner of the 2nd Annual Young ISDE Dragon’s Den competition. Marcel presented his proposal on “Revisional Surgery for Functional Syndromes after Esophagectomy,” a topic that addresses a critical aspect of patient care for those undergoing complex esophageal surgeries. The winning proposal received complimentary 1-year membership, registration to the 21^st ISDE World Congress in Brisbane, Australia and a travel grant of $2500 to support their travel to Australia.

The Young ISDE Dragon’s Den competition took place at the 20th ISDE World Congress, held in Edinburgh on September 22, 2024. Five young researchers and clinicians took the stage to present their projects to a live audience and a panel of experts in the field of esophageal diseases. The panel, also known as the "dragons," evaluated each proposal, questioning participants on their approach, methodology, and potential impact.

2024 Panel of Dragons:

1. Professor Magnus Nilsson – Professor of Surgery and Head of the Division of Surgery and Oncology at CLINTEC, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
2. Professor Daniela Molena – Director of the Esophageal Program, Thoracic Surgery Division, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, United States
3. Associate Professor Joy Chang – Assistant Professor, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Michigan, United States
4. Professor Ewen Griffiths – Consultant Upper GI and General Surgeon, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom
5. Associate Professor Sarah Thompson – Academic Surgeon, Flinders University, Australia

Innovation at the Forefront: An Impressive Lineup of Proposals

In addition to Marcel’s winning presentation, other proposals captivated the dragons and audience alike including:

• Optimizing Gastro-Esophageal Cancer Detection – A multicenter discrete-choice experiment presented by Stijn Vanstraelen from Belgium
• Assessing HER2 Status in Esophagogastric Adenocarcinoma and Its Impact on Patient Clinicopathological Outcomes (HERA) presented by Nicola Raftery from Ireland
• Complication Prediction by Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing After Esophagectomy for Cancer: A Machine Learning Analysis (COMPETE) presented by Ward Seurs from Belgium
• A Novel Integrated Approach to Describe Patients Along a Spectrum of Esophageal Dysmotility presented by Ashton Ellison from the United States

Each of these promising projects showcased innovative approaches to the challenges faced in esophageal disease treatment and diagnosis.

Looking Ahead: Building on Success

The session concluded with an update from Dr. Xuefeng Leng, the 2023 Young ISDE Dragon’s Den winner, who shared progress on his project, “Development of a Predictive Model for Prognostic and Recurrent Risk Factors in Esophageal Cancer: Integrating Modern Treatment Approaches.” Dr. Leng’s insights underscored the ongoing impact of the Young ISDE Dragon's Den, as each year’s winning projects continue to advance research and understanding within the field.

Congratulations to Marcel Schneider and all participants for their inspiring contributions! The ISDE eagerly anticipates seeing how these young leaders will drive progress in esophageal health and patient care in the coming years.

Shark Tank 2025 (aka, the new Dragon’s Den)

The Young ISDE committee eagerly look forward to seeing you all in Brisbane 2025 for another display of high calibre research being conducted on the international stage. Next year, there is a twist. Whilst dragons are abound in the northern hemisphere, sharks lurk awaiting on the shores of Australia. We will see you for Shark Tank 2025 down under!   

Best Junior Faculty/Trainee Manuscript Award 

Dr. Eline de Groot
Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Trends in Surgical Techniques for the Treatment of Esophageal and Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer: The 2022 Update

Outstanding Junior Faculty Peer Reviewer Award 

Dr. Saturo Matsuda
Assistant Professor of Surgery, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan

The International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus (ISDE) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Vani Konda as the next Co-Editor-in-Chief (medical) for the Diseases of the Esophagus (DOTE) Journal. Effective September 23, 2024Dr. Konda will succeed Dr. Neil Gupta who is stepping down during the ISDE 2024 World Congress in Edinburgh, Scotland upon completinghis second four-year term. 

I am honored to pass the torch to Dr. Konda.  I can think of no one better to help continue to co-lead Diseases of the Esophagus for the future ~ Neil Gupta  

Published continuously since 1986, DOTE is a leading journal in the field of esophageal diseases with a broad international readership. The journal covers all aspects of the esophagus – epidemiology, investigation and diagnosis, and multidisciplinary treatment. The journal includes clinical research papers, short reports, commissioned review articles, correspondence, book and equipment reviews, annotated abstracts and announcements of meetings.  

Vani J.A. Konda, MD is a gastroenterologist with clinical expertise in esophageal disorders. Her clinical practice focuses on esophageal diseases including Barrett's esophagus, early esophageal cancer, achalasia, swallowing disorders, eosinophilic esophagitis, reflux, and complex esophageal strictures. She completed her residency and fellowship training and then remained on faculty at University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois. Since 2017, she joined the Baylor Scott and White Center for Esophageal Diseases at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. She had served as the Medical Director of the GI physiology lab at the Baylor University Medical Center until 2022 and continues to serve as the Medical Director for the Baylor Scott and White Center for Esophageal Diseases.  

She has served as an Associate Editor for DOTE for eight years, Co-Chair of the ISDE Communications Committee from 2016 until 2022, and on the ISDE Board of Directors since 2020. She currently serves on the Executive Committee in the role of Secretary. She is also active in the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), and the American Gastroenterology Association (AGA).  

Dr. Konda will be joining Dr. Magnus Nilsson, Co-Editor-in-Chief (surgical) in managing all aspects of the journal including the editorial board and reviewers, working with the publisher on developing a world class vision for the journal, processing submitted manuscripts, identifying opportunities for improvement, ensuring content diversity, managing the DOTE Awards and working with the Associate Editors for Social Media to highlight the journal on social media. 

I’m really delighted about Vani Konda’s appointment as co-EIC and I really look forward to working with her to take our journal to a new level in the years to come ~ Magnus Nilsson 

LEARN MORE 

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The International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus (ISDE) is pleased to announce that its Board of Directors has agreed to take on the ownership and management of the ESODATA Database. This strategic move underscores ISDE's commitment to advancing the scientific and medical knowledge of esophageal diseases.  

ESODATA is an international database of outcomes for patients with esophageal cancer.  ESODATA is unique in both its breadth and scope, given its international nature.  In addition to providing data for multiple high-impact peer-reviewed publications, ESODATA provides both national and international benchmarking for outcomes in esophageal surgery, which have been used to formulate guidelines and quality metrics. The ISDE Board is excited about the enhanced value this database will bring to the profession. ESODATA is the product of the exceptional contributions of Drs. Don Low and  Madhan Kuppusamy, whose efforts have been instrumental in developing ESODATA into the respected resource it is today. Both Dr. Low and Dr. Kuppusamy will continue to guide ESODATA operations during and after the transition to ISDE management.  

“The incorporation of ESODATA into the ISDE research structure is a major step forward for both our organization and the ESODATA consortium,” commented ISDE president Nick Shaheen.  “By combining the resources of our organization with the ingenuity and hard work of Don Low, Madan Kuppusamy and the legion of contributors to ESODATA, we will greatly increase science’s understanding of esophageal cancer, and contribute to cures for this deadly disease.”  

A Transition Committee has been formed to oversee the ownership transfer, ensuring minimal disruption to existing contributors. The committee is chaired by: 

• Mark van Berge Henegouwen, Department of Surgery, Amsterdam UMC, Netherlands 
• Wayne Hofstetter, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, USA 

The committee’s mandate includes establishing appropriate governance, management, and supporting infrastructure for ESODATA under ISDE’s oversight.  

During the transition period, access to ESODATA for existing contributors will remain unchanged. However, the enrollment of new contributing sites will be temporarily paused until the transition is completed and new data agreements are finalized.  

The ISDE Board of Directors looks forward to advancing the field of esophageal disease research and treatment.   

About ISDE: 

The International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus (ISDE) is a global organization dedicated to the study, diagnosis, and treatment of esophageal diseases. Through research, education, and collaboration, ISDE aims to advance the understanding and management of these conditions to improve patient care worldwide.  

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For further information and enquiries, please contact:

Leya Duigu

info@isde.net   

International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus (ISDE) 

Join the Young ISDE Committee for its second Dragons Den for young researchers at the 20^thISDE World Congress on Sunday, September 22^nd starting at 3:45 PM local time. During this session early-career researchers will pitch their research projects to an international panel of experts “The Dragons” who will assess and provide feedback. The Dragons will select a winning research project to receive a small incentive prize, support with establishing a multicenter study and access to expertise and mentors throughout the project.  

The committee will also be sharing information and news about Young ISDE during the session.  

About the Research Projects Being Pitched 

Research projects were submitted in advance and the highest scoring proposals were selected to present during this session. This initiative is intended to provide support to early career researchers who may not otherwise have access to a network, mentors or expertise.  

About The Young ISDE Committee 

The Young ISDE Committee was officially launched in 2022 to help advance and support the needs of trainees, fellows and early career individuals. Co-Chaired by Sheraz Markar and Roos Pouw the committee aims to:  

• Contribute to the development of new knowledge and advance understanding in the field of esophageal diseases, through research and scholarship, and dissemination of findings in peer-reviewed journals and at scientific meetings. 

• Promote education; the exchange of scientific and medical knowledge of the esophagus among a community of trainees and young investigators from medical, surgical, associate health groups. 

• Facilitate the establishment of scientific connections between trainees, early career clinicians, and young investigators in the field. 

• Advertise training and fellowship opportunities in the field of esophagus diseases internationally and enhance interdisciplinary training.  

Register for the 20^thWorld Congress https://isde-congress.net/registration/  

Become a member www.isde.net/membership 

Fire up your research project in the Young ISDE Research Dragon’s Den

The Young ISDE Research Dragon’s Den will take place during the ISDE congress and is aimed to encourage and enable young researchers to execute their research idea. After initial review of submitted research projects, the highest scoring projects will be pitched to an international panel of experts during the Dragon’s Den. The experts will provide the projects with feedback that can be used to further improve the research projects.

The winner of the Dragon’s Den will receive a cash incentive prize in support of their project, and the winning project will and supported by Young ISDE and the Research & Database Committee.

• Deadline for application: May 10, 2024
• Confirmation of acceptance: May 31, 2024
• Dragon’s Den during Young ISDE session: September 22, 2024

Full details for the application:

• Research projects should be multicenter, international & multidisciplinary
• Applications should adhere to the provided template
• Applicants should be an ISDE individual member
• Early to mid-career researchers* are encouraged to apply
• Selected research projects must be presented live during the Dragon’s Den
• Results of the winning research idea will be published in Diseases of the Esophagus
• Winners will be invited to present their research at the next congress
• Where a study requires significant resource, it should be clarified within the application whether this has been secured.

*Any physician or surgeon less than 5 years in consultancy

Project Criteria for consideration:

• Feasibility
• Necessary expertise
• Impact
• Can be accomplished

How Young ISDE will support the winning project:

• Assisting with setting up contacts for multicenter studies
• Creating attention and awareness via international networks

Download Application Template

Submit a Research Project Online

The International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus (ISDE) is seeking proposals from cities interested in hosting the 2027 ISDE World Congress for Esophageal Diseases. This event brings together experts from around the world to advance knowledge and collaboration in esophageal health.

We invite cities in the European Region to submit proposals demonstrating their ability to accommodate the congress's needs, including suitable venues, accommodations, and transportation. Sustainability, accessibility, and inclusivity are key considerations.

The selection process will be competitive, with the ISDE Executive Committee evaluating proposals based on criteria such as venue suitability, logistical support, and financial viability.

Interested cities should review the detailed submission guidelines online. The deadline to submit an expression of interest to host the ISDE World Congress is April 30, 2024. A shortlist of cities will be invited to submit full bids and the destination selected to host will be announced at the beginning of 2025.

Join us in shaping the future of esophageal healthcare by hosting the 2027 ISDE World Congress. We look forward to receiving your expression of interest and welcoming the world to an inspiring congress experience. For inquiries, contact isde-congress@isde.net.

The International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus (ISDE) has recently published a Position Statement on the benefits of endoscopic workup before embarking on bariatric surgery or endoscopic treatment for obesity. 

Obesity is not merely a condition of excess body weight; it is often associated with various gastro-esophageal issues that can significantly impact the success and safety of interventions. Conditions such as gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hiatal hernias are common in obese individuals and may be exacerbated or go unnoticed without proper diagnostic scrutiny.

The ISDE Position Statement, available in the Diseases of the Esophagus Journal, consists of ten statements that were selected on the basis of the agreement level and clinical relevance, representing an evidence and experience-based consensus.

Read Full Article 

The ISDE seeks applications for the next Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Diseases of the Esophagus Journal.

Published continuously since 1986, DOTE is a leading journal in the field of esophageal diseases with a broad international readership. The journal covers all aspects of the esophagus – epidemiology, investigation and diagnosis, and multidisciplinary treatment. The journal includes clinical research papers, short reports, commissioned review articles, correspondence, book and equipment reviews, annotated abstracts and announcements of meetings.

The 2022 Journal Impact Factor™ for Diseases of the Esophagus is 2.6; the journal is ranked 71 out of 93 in the Gastroenterology and Hepatology category.

ISDE is seeking a gastroenterologist or medical doctor specializing in esophageal diseases, with an international reputation and record of academic excellence in clinical research and wide and inclusive knowledge of the field of esophagology to guide DOTE’s development and advancement over the next 4-8 years. The successful applicant will work jointly with our current surgical co-editor-in-chief, Magnus Nilsson, of Karolinska Institute, to develop high quality, ground-breaking scholarship in esophageal diseases.  In addition to assuming editorial control over the journal, the co-editor-in-chief will manage a staff of 38 associate editors to assure timely and accurate review of manuscripts submitted to the journal.  An honorarium is offered.

The successful application will demonstrate:

• a strategic vision for the journal’s ongoing development;
• a commitment to diversity, inclusion, access and equity;
• the ability to work collaboratively with the editorial team, staff and publishers; 
• a clear understanding of trends in scientific journal publishing, including optimizing digital functionality and the deployment of social media channels;
• an international network of colleagues; and
• prior editorial experience.

Candidates should also have a deep understanding of the challenges faced by the field of esophageal diseases with a passion to build awareness and improve its visibility, expertise in current scientific methodology.

The Co-Editors-in-Chief are supported by the publishing team and receive administrative support from the ISDE Secretariat.

Open Co-Editor Position Description www.isde.net/dote-journal-editor/

Applications should include:

• CV
• A letter (maximum 3 pages) summarizing your vision and goals for DOTE over the next 4 years, with attention to how you would like to innovate and build on DOTE’s success and to how you will promote diversity, inclusion, access and equity within the journal and the broader esophageal community. See full job description for additional guidance on points to address in your letter;

Applications should be addressed to Mark Ferguson, Executive Director and submitted online. Any questions can be directed to Leya Duigu at info@isde.net. All applications will be reviewed by the DOTE Co-Editor-in-Chief Search Committee.

Applications are due no later than April 3, 2024. Interviews will be conducted virtually between April 9-19, 2024.

On this World Cancer Day, the global community stands together to raise awareness about various forms of cancer, with a special emphasis on Esophageal Cancer—a disease that affects thousands worldwide.

Understanding Esophageal Cancer: