There have been several new developments regarding esophageal cancer research and treatment in the following areas:

• Genetics. Changes in certain genes have been discovered that appear to be responsible for causing normal cells to develop into esophageal cancer.  Researchers hope to find ways through genetics to detect esophageal cancer earlier in a more curable stage.
  
  
• Drug treatment. Clinical trials are in progress that test new ways to combine medications to more effectively treat esophageal cancer. Other studies are examining the best ways to combine chemotherapy and radiation therapy. In addition, drugs are being developed that target certain substances in the cancer cell, while others try to block the process of blood vessel formation in the tumor.
  
  
• Immunotherapy. Esophageal cancer treatments that boost the immune system mostly involve monoclonal antibodies, which are made in the laboratory and injected into patients. Clinical studies are examining the use of antibodies to fight adenocarcinoma esophageal cancer.
  
  
• Prevention. Efforts are being made to reduce obesity, which is a major contributor to esophageal cancer. In addition, scientists are trying to develop tests that can help predict which patients with Barrett’s esophagus have the greatest risk of developing esophageal cancer.