title: Non- and semi-invasive methods of monitoring eosinophilic esophagitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Monitoring inflammation associated with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) relies on the identification of biomarkers that provide an objective measure of disease activity. To date, this metric has been the number of eosinophils in the squamous epithelial tissue. The search for alternative biomarkers as well as alternative methods to capture them has been the topic of much research.
  
  
  METHODS
  Based on clinical experience and a review of the literature, the aim of this chapter is to identify potential EoE biomarkers and methods to assess them.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With respect to the biomarkers, a number of candidates have arisen, including peripheral blood eosinophils, eosinophil granule proteins, Th2-related cytokines and exhaled nitric oxide. Methods to assess these biomarkers have included peripheral blood, luminal lavages and breath collections.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Future research will identify the best clinical outcome measure for EoE. While mucosal eosinophilia currently serves as a well-defined metric of inflammation, newer research studies will continue to address whether this number correlates reliably with other patient-reported outcomes, endoscopic findings, molecular analyses or other yet to be defined biomarkers.
authors.affiliation: Digestive Health Institute, Section of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colo., USA.
authors.forename: Calies
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Menard-Katcher
authors.forename: Glenn T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Furuta
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D057765:Eosinophilic Esophagitis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D006801:Humans; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000379:methods*; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers