# Barrett's Esophagus Translational Research Network Coordinating Center (BETRNetCC)

> **NIH NIH U24** · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · 2021 · $395,000

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Although esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is a relatively uncommon cancer, the incidence of this disease
has increased rapidly in recent decades; moreover, at the time of detection of EA, most patients have very
poor prognosis. The alarming increase in EA over the past several decades, along with the poor prognosis for
those affected, demand investigation into the risk factors for this disease, improved management of patients at
risk, and development of preventive measures. Advances in these areas will have significant public health
benefit in terms of reducing morbidity and mortality for those affected, as well as reducing the public health
costs associated with managing EA at advanced stages.
To better manage patients at risk for EA will require an improved understanding of the mechanisms of
neoplastic progression in the esophagus. Such progression involves the development of Barrett's esophagus,
a premalignant lesion in which the normal stratified squamous epithelium of the distal esophagus is replaced
by columnar epithelium, visible as an abnormality on endoscopy, and confirmed on biopsy as specialized
columnar epithelium with intestinal metaplasia.
For these reasons, the NCI has developed the Barrett's Esophagus Translational Research Network
(BETRNet), a consortium research initiative with the goal of reducing the incidence, morbidity, and mortality of
EAC, through answering key questions related to the progression of this disease, especially in the
premalignant stage of BE, the only precursor lesion definitively associated with EA.
In this application we describe the accomplishments to date, as well as the vision forward, for the BETRNet
Coordinating Center (BETRNet-CC), with the following critical functions:
• Administrative and logistical support for the BETRNet program, including efficient communications and
 coordination of efforts to connect available resources, serve as a data management center, and integrate
 activities of the research centers;
• Coordination of cross-network research through leadership and management of diverse teams, as well as
 providing logistical and administrative support to the governing body of the BETRNet (the Steering
 Committee); and
• Ongoing development, maintenance, and administration of the BETRNet patient registry with virtual
 biorepository (BETRNet PR-VB).

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10124296
- **Project number:** 5U24CA163056-11
- **Recipient organization:** VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Yu Shyr
- **Activity code:** U24 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $395,000
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2011-09-21 → 2023-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10124296

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10124296, Barrett's Esophagus Translational Research Network Coordinating Center (BETRNetCC) (5U24CA163056-11). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10124296. Licensed CC0.

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