ISDE News

We are pleased to announce the call for applications for the 2026 Young ISDE Research Dragon's Den, to be held during the 22nd ISDE World Congress in Kyoto, Japan on September 16, 2026.

Hosted by the Young ISDE Committee, the Research Dragon’s Den is designed to support early- and mid-career investigators by providing a unique opportunity to pitch innovative, multicenter research ideas to an international panel of expert reviewers. Selected applicants will present their projects live and receive constructive feedback aimed at strengthening scientific rigor, feasibility, and impact. 

The winning project will receive a dedicated incentive package, including: 

• Complimentary registration for the 2027 ISDE World Congress 
• USD $2,500 in travel support to attend the Congress in Utrecht, The Netherlands (September 21–23, 2027) 
• Visibility and promotion through ISDE’s international networks 
• Support in establishing multicenter and international collaborations 

Key dates include: 

• Call opens: January 26, 2026 
• Application deadline: March 18, 2026 
• Notification of acceptance: April 8, 2026 

Applications are open to ISDE Individual Members who are early- to mid-career researchers, with a strong emphasis on international, multidisciplinary, and collaborative research projects. 

We encourage eligible members to take advantage of this opportunity to advance their research, build global collaborations, and contribute to the future of esophageal science. 

Full application details and submission instructions are available online. 

As President of both the International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus (ISDE) and the International Society for Digestive Surgery (ISDS), I am very pleased to personally highlight an important collaborative session taking place at International Surgical Week (ISW) 2026, from 19–23 April 2026 in Mexico City.

One of the great strengths of our societies is the shared commitment to advancing high-quality, evidence-based care for patients with esophageal and upper gastrointestinal disease. That commitment is reflected in our joint session, “Updates in Upper GI Surgery,” co-sponsored by ISDE and ISDS.

This session brings together several outstanding colleagues and leaders in the field, many of whom are long-standing and active members of ISDE. The programme has been designed to be concise, practical, and clinically relevant, with focused presentations followed by discussion to encourage interaction and exchange of perspectives.

Updates in Upper GI Surgery (ISDE–ISDS Joint Session)

• Current Paradigm in Management of Locally Advanced Esophageal Cancer - Lorenzo Ferri (Canada)

• T4B Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Practical Approaches to Borderline Resectable Disease - Hirotoshi Kukichi (Japan)

• Modern Management of Gastro-Esophageal Junctional Cancers: Multimodal Therapy and Surgical Approach - Suzanne Gisbertz (The Netherlands)

• Limited Metastases from Gastro-Esophageal Cancer: A Surgical Disease? - Sheraz Markar (United Kingdom)

• Optimising Peri-operative Outcomes for the Esophageal Cancer Patient - Wayne Hofstetter (United States)

It is a pleasure to see so many respected ISDE members contributing to this session, alongside international colleagues, and I believe it will be of great value to surgeons, trainees, and multidisciplinary teams involved in upper GI cancer care.

I warmly encourage ISDE members who are planning to attend International Surgical Week 2026 to join us for this session, support this collaboration, and take part in what I expect will be a lively and informative discussion.

I look forward to seeing many of you in Mexico City.

Lorenzo Ferri
President, International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus

The International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus (ISDE) is delighted to announce that Montreal, Canada, has been selected as the host city for the 2028 ISDE World Congress, to be held September 4–7, 2028. 

The ISDE World Congress is the Society’s flagship scientific meeting, bringing together clinicians, surgeons, researchers, and allied health professionals from around the world to advance the prevention, diagnosis, and management of esophageal diseases. Montreal was selected following a competitive bidding process, recognizing its strong academic and clinical community, international connectivity, and reputation as a world-class conference destination. 

With its unique blend of North American energy and European charm, Montreal offers an inspiring environment for scientific exchange, interdisciplinary collaboration, and networking. The 2028 Congress will feature a comprehensive scientific program, cutting-edge research, and opportunities to engage with global leaders in the field. 

ISDE looks forward to welcoming the international esophageal community to Montreal in 2028. Additional information regarding the Congress theme, program highlights, and registration will be announced in the coming years. 

For more information visit isde-congress.net  

The Diseases of the Esophagus Journal is pleased to announce two new article types now being accepted by the Diseases of the Esophagus Journal — designed to broaden opportunities for authors and highlight valuable contributions to the esophageal community. 

Lessons Learned 

Share your unique perspective on a technique, disease entity, proposed classification system, or training pathway. These brief commentaries (up to 2,000 words) offer practical insights and experiences that can benefit the esophageal community, particularly early-career physicians and clinicians seeking to expand their expertise. 

Research Tools and Protocols 

Highlight validated questionnaires, data collection instruments, or multicenter research protocols that foster collaboration and advance multidisciplinary esophageal research. 

Both article types allow: 

• Up to 2,000 words and 6 references 
• 1 figure or table 
• An unstructured abstract of up to 250 words 

View Current Articles in Lessons Learned

We invite you to submit your work and help strengthen knowledge-sharing across our global community.

Learn More & Submit Your Manuscript

The International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus (ISDE) is pleased to announce Dr. Adam Frankel of the Princess Alexandra Hospital Clinical School, Australia, as the winner of the 2025 Young ISDE Sharks Tank, held during the ISDE World Congress in Brisbane. His winning proposal, “Minimum Dataset for Surgical Management of Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease,” aims to establish a standardized data collection framework to improve clinical practice, streamline research, and support global collaboration in the surgical management of GERD.

The Young ISDE Sharks Tank—formerly the Dragon’s Den—is designed to empower early-career clinicians and researchers by providing a platform to present innovative research ideas to senior experts. The competition continues to highlight the next generation of leaders advancing esophageal science and care.

2025 Finalist Proposals

This year’s competition featured five high-quality and forward-thinking proposals:

1. Minimum Dataset for Surgical Management of Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease – Adam Frankel, Princess Alexandra Hospital Clinical School, Australia
2. Oligometastatic Disease for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma – Motoo Nomura, Kyoto University Hospital, Japan
3. Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy vs. Perioperative Chemotherapy for Gastro-Esophageal Cancer: An International Multidisciplinary Delphi Consensus Study – Hidde Overtoom, Amsterdam UMC, Netherlands
4. Deep-IO-Eso: A Deep Learning Model for Predicting Pathological Response to Neoadjuvant Immuno-Chemotherapy in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Using Pre- and Post-Treatment H&E Images – Chunji Chen, Shanghai Chest Hospital, China
5. A Prospective Randomised Study Comparing Prophylactic Endolumenal Vacuum Therapy with a Sponge vs. Prophylactic Endolumenal Vacuum Therapy with a Fenestrated Drain for Oesophageal Anastomoses – Scott Whiting, Townsville University Hospital, Queensland Health, Australia

Sharks Panel 2025

The expert Sharks who evaluated the proposals this year included Yin-Kai Chao (Taiwan), Daniela Molena (USA), Anh Nguyen (USA), and Kongjia Luo (China).

The judges commended all finalists for their creativity, scientific rigor, and commitment to advancing patient care.

About the Winning Proposal

Dr. Frankel’s proposal stood out for its clarity, feasibility, and potential global utility. Establishing a minimum dataset for GERD surgery will help harmonize outcomes reporting, enable more robust multicenter studies, and support the development of evidence-based guidelines.

ISDE congratulates Dr. Frankel and extends appreciation to all finalists for contributing to another outstanding edition of the Young ISDE Sharks Tank. Learn more about the program at the ISDE research projects page.

Since our last update in November 2024, the ENDEAVOR Project has made significant strides toward achieving its mission: to improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs through precision-driven, patient-centered innovation. 

About ENDEAVOR

Funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe program, ENDEAVOR aims to develop a cost-effective, biomarker-based method to identify patients with Barrett’s Esophagus who are at higher risk of developing esophageal adenocarcinoma, a severe subtype of esophageal cancer. By enabling early and accurate risk detection, this method will support clinicians in selecting the most appropriate treatment and surveillance strategies for each individual — a truly personalized approach to care. 

Collaboration Across Europe 

A hallmark of ENDEAVOR’s progress has been its widespread international collaboration. The consortium brings together 14 academic institutions, 3 general hospitals, and 2 industrial partners across 9 EU countries, engaging specialists from multiple disciplines including gastroenterology, oncology, pathology, social science and data science. 

This diverse expertise ensures that ENDEAVOR’s findings reflect the complexity of real-world clinical practice and that its solutions are practical, scalable, and sustainable. 

Highlights from the Past Year 

In April 2025, partners gathered in Ireland for the Annual Consortium Meeting, a milestone event that reviewed progress, aligned strategies, and set the roadmap for the next phase of implementation. ENDEAVOR partners also showcased project insights at several major scientific gatherings, including the European Society for Diseases of the Esophagus, the Belgian Association of Cancer Research and the Belgian Week of Gastroenterology, where discussions focused on improving patient quality of life, refining risk-based surveillance programs and presenting a novel brush sampling technique. 

A key development has been the continued engagement of the Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) Panel, ensuring that patient perspectives remain central to ENDEAVOR’s design and decision-making processes. 

Expected Impact 

ENDEAVOR’s biomarker-driven approach is designed to: 

• Increase quality of life for patients by reducing unnecessary procedures and focusing surveillance where it is most needed. 
• Support clinicians in making better-informed, evidence-based decisions about patient care. 
• Reduce healthcare costs by improving efficiency and targeting resources effectively. 
  

Next Steps 

Looking ahead, the consortium will use the insights gained so far to refine the risk-stratification method, with the goal of further validating its accuracy and applicability. The lessons learned through ENDEAVOR may also open pathways to extend this biomarker-based approach to other cancer types, amplifying its potential impact across healthcare systems. 

Join the Journey 

ENDEAVOR continues to move from inspiration to implementation, guided by a shared commitment to innovation, collaboration, and patient benefit. Stay connected with the project’s progress and upcoming milestones by visiting ENDEAVOR’s blog or following them on social media. 

https://x.com/EndeavorEU  
https://www.linkedin.com/company/endeavor-eu 

ISDE 2025 was full of excitement, learning, and connection — and our contests added an extra dose of fun! The ISDE Membership Committee led two initiatives designed to boost engagement among delegates: the #MyISDE Photo Contest and the ISDE 2025 Trivia Game.

#MyISDE Photo Contest
Congratulations to Lieven Depypere from UZ Leuven in Belgium, winner of the #MyISDE Photo Contest for this fantastic picture shared on LinkedIn. Their photo perfectly captured the spirit of the congress and our global community. As a prize, Lieven will receive free registration to ISDE 2026 in Japan! Thank you to everyone who shared their moments using #ISDEcongress2025 and #MyISDE, making this contest a true celebration of connection.

ISDE 2025 Trivia Game
We also celebrated our ISDE trivia champion! Congratulations to Jessica Ng from Princess Alexandra Hospital in Australia, who earned the highest score and fastest responses in the ISDE 2025 Trivia Game. Their impressive knowledge of all things ISDE earned them complimentary registration to ISDE 2026 in Japan. This interactive contest brought friendly competition and learning into the congress, thanks to the efforts of the ISDE Membership Committee.

Thank you to everyone who participated in these initiatives and helped make ISDE 2025 a memorable, engaging, and connected experience. We look forward to seeing you all again in Japan for ISDE 2026!

From September 18–20, 2025, Brisbane, Australia, played host to the 21st ISDE World Congress, bringing together esophagologists from around the globe. With great weather and an inspiring atmosphere, the congress was an incredible opportunity for networking, knowledge sharing, and professional growth.

A Truly Global Gathering
This year, the congress welcomed 614 delegates from 30 countries, representing every continent. The majority of attendees came from Asia (44%), Oceania (28%) and North America (20%), and a small number from Europe, Africa and South America. Delegates had the chance to connect with peers, learn from leading experts, and explore the latest advancements in diagnosis, treatment and management of diseases of the esophagus.

Outstanding Scientific Contributions
There were 175 speakers delivering presentations and 290 posters showcased during the onsite poster walks. The program covered a broad spectrum of topics, highlighting innovations, research breakthroughs, and best practices in the field.

Acknowledging Our Committees
A special thanks goes to our Scientific Program Committee, chaired by Neil Gupta (USA), and members Ken Kato (Japan), Yin Li (China), Keith Kang (China), Daniela Molena (USA), Hiroya Takeuchi (Japan), Randhir Sud (India), and Mark van Berge Henegouwen (The Netherlands), for designing a dynamic and engaging program. We are also grateful to the Local Organizing Committee, led by Mark Smithers from the University of Queensland.

Thanks to Everyone Who Made It Possible
Finally, our sincere appreciation goes to all speakers, moderators, and volunteers whose contributions made the 21st ISDE World Congress a resounding success. The connections forged, insights shared, and knowledge gained will continue to inspire innovation in the field.

We look forward to seeing everyone at the next event in Kyoto, Japan from September 16-18, 2025 and continuing to advance excellence in the field together.

The International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus (ISDE) is pleased to announce two new appointments to the Diseases of the Esophagus (DOTE) journal team:  

Dr. Sabita Jiwnani, Tata Memorial Centre, India  

Dr. Sabita S. Jiwnani is Professor of Thoracic Surgery in the Department of Surgical Oncology at Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, one of Asia’s largest comprehensive cancer hospitals. Since 2022, she has led the thoracic surgery service, overseeing clinical delivery, training, academics, research, and capital planning for advanced surgical technology.

Her clinical expertise is in minimally invasive thoracic surgery, including robotic approaches, and she has been instrumental in developing training pathways and protocols that have improved surgical safety and patient outcomes. She has also played a pivotal role in strengthening multidisciplinary care and introducing structured perioperative practices that are now standard within the department.

Dr. Jiwnani has multiple publications as first or corresponding author and contributions to book chapters. Her research spans a wide spectrum, including surgical innovation, implementation science, quality of life, and areas that challenge established practices in thoracic oncology. She has successfully secured both national and international research funding and continues to lead collaborative projects that aim to advance evidence-based surgical care.

As a committed educator, she has designed structured teaching curricula and mentorship programs for postgraduate trainees and fellows, and has served as Academic Director of the Indian Society of Oncology. She is a sought-after faculty member at national and international meetings and continues to mentor the next generation of thoracic surgeons.

Dr. Jiwnani serves on the executive committees of national and international oncology and thoracic societies. She is also actively engaged in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, and mentors through Women in da Vinci Surgery and Women in Oncology.

Dr. Walter W. Chan, MD, MPH, Brigham and Women's Hospital, United States

Dr. Walter Chan is Director of the Center for Gastrointestinal Motility at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and an Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. A specialist in gastroenterology, hepatology, and endoscopy, he focuses on motility disorders, esophageal diseases such as GERD and Barrett’s esophagus, and other complex gastrointestinal conditions. 

Dr. Chan earned his medical degree from Washington University School of Medicine and completed residency at Barnes-Jewish Hospital followed by a gastroenterology fellowship at Brigham and Women’s.  

Among his honors, Dr. Chan has been recognized as a “Top Doctor” by Boston Magazine in 2022 and was also listed in Castle Connolly America’s Top Doctors for 2022. 

They will be joining Dr. Keith Kang, who currently leads DOTE’s social media communications in China. Together, they will form an energized team dedicated to advancing the journal’s social media strategy and outreach. 

Drs. Jiwnani and Chan are assuming the role of Associate Editors for Social Media Outreach, following the exemplary contributions of Jessie Elliot, whom we thank sincerely for her commitment and service. 

As Associate Editors for Social Media (AESM), Drs. Jiwnani, Chan and Kang will lead initiatives to expand the journal's presence across social media platforms, reporting directly to the Editors-in-Chief.  

Strategy Objectives 

This social media initiative is rooted in the understanding that visibility on digital platforms contributes significantly to citation rates and scholarly impact. The AESM team will work together to: 

• Engage with targeted virtual communities 

• Increase visibility of DOTE content through regular and strategic posts 

• Foster interactive networks around esophageal disease research and care 

• Promote dynamic and inclusive conversation around published work 

Please join us in welcoming Drs. Jiwnani and Chan to the DOTE editorial team. We are excited to see how their expertise and energy will shape the journal’s digital presence in the years ahead. 

Introducing the Women of ISDE Committee otherwise known as WISE 

The International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus (ISDE) is proud to announce the establishment of a new committee, WISE: Women of ISDE. This move represents a small step toward fostering equity, collaboration, and advancement within the field of esophageal disease. 

Leadership and Vision 
The WISE Committee will be co-chaired by Dr. Alia Qureshi (Oregon Health & Science University) and Dr. Daniela Molena (Memorial Sloan Kettering), two esteemed leaders dedicated to driving inclusion and innovation in the field. 

The WISE Committee aims to be a global leader in esophageal knowledge, empowering and advancing women as key contributors and leaders. 

The WISE Committee’s mission encompasses: 

1. Creating opportunities for individuals across disciplines to network and collaborate in esophageal medicine. 
2. Inspiring and empowering women at all career stages, with a focus on equity in leadership and valuing their contributions as students, clinicians, and leaders. 
3. Promoting scientific research and knowledge exchange, with a commitment to advancing women in the field. 
4. Advocating for women's inclusion and leadership in partnerships with organizations and industries. 
5. Supporting equitable opportunities for research funding, recognition, and professional growth in esophageal fields. 

View the Full List of Wise Committee Members Here.