Projects per year
Personal profile
Research interests
My two main research lines currently are:
1) endoscopic management of Barrett esophagus-related neoplasia and esophageal adenocarcinoma,
2) endoscopic vacuum therapy for defects in the upper gastrointestinal tract and anastomotic leakage.
My research goals are to develop minimally invasive treatments that are safe and effective, particularly with regards to oncological treatment. Additionally, I aim to customize treatments to individual patients and promote a multidisciplinary approach to patient care.
In the field of Barrett’s esophagus-related neoplasia and low-risk cancer, my research has yielded clinically relevant results. We established a partly retrospective, but currently prospectively maintained database with all patients (> 1500) treated with endoscopic eradication therapy in the Barrett Expert Centers in the Netherlands, from 2018. Based on data from this worldwide unique cohort, my research team found that endoscopic resection and ablation techniques offer safe and effective treatment, with very low risk of recurrence after long-term follow-up. The same patient cohort was used to develop a prediction model to identify patients with an increased risk of recurrence during follow-up, who may benefit from more stringent surveillance. This model was validated in two external datasets from Leuven and Zurich, demonstrating excellent predictive value (C-statistic 0.91). The unique patient cohort established for these studies has proven to be an excellent source for multiple spin-off studies.
Moreover, in patients with high-risk esophageal adenocarcinoma, my research has explored the concept of a watchful waiting strategy. Traditionally, surgery has been the recommended course of action for this indication according to guidelines. However, based on a retrospective study including all patients treated endoscopically for these high-risk cancers within the Netherlands, the risk of metastasis seems lower than was historically assumed, suggesting that a watchful waiting approach can be a safe and viable alternative. This approach is also being assessed in a retrospective cohort in multiple European hospitals, also to expand my available database of patients treated for these high-risk esophageal cancers. But, since this approach needs to be validated prospectively, I am currently running a study in 19 international centers, to prospectively assess the safety of a watchful waiting approach. This study is financially supported by a grant from the Dutch Cancer Society (KWF) and is worldwide the first prospective study in this field, and already referred to as a landmark study during international conferences.
More recently I started my research in the field of endoscopic vacuum therapy, to better understand its indications, safety and efficacy. This innovative technique involves the use of a vacuum-assisted system to treat defects in the esophagus and anastomotic leakage. For this research I collaborate closely with our surgical colleagues, and our multidisciplinary collaboration has already resulted in three peer-reviewed publications in two years, multiple presentations at international conferences, and significant improvements in how we currently treat these patients at our center.
Overall, my research has made significant clinically meaningful contributions to the field of gastroenterology. My dedication to multidisciplinary and multicenter collaboration and patient-tailored treatments has the potential to revolutionize the field, improving patient outcomes and quality of life.
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
Education/Academic qualification
Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist, Dept. of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Oct 2012 → Aug 2017
Award Date: 10 Aug 2017
PhD, Endoscopic eradication of Barrett's oesophagus with early neoplasia, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
1 Nov 2006 → 1 Nov 2010
Award Date: 10 Nov 2011
Master, Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
Award Date: 20 Sept 2006
Keywords
- R Medicine (General)
- Barrett's oesophagus
- early neoplasia
- endoscopic resection
- endoscopic ablation
- biomarkers
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Projects
- 1 Active
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Bergman J.J.G.H.M.: Detection and treatment of upper gastrointestinal cancer
Bergman, J., Pouw, R., van Baar, A., Belghazi, K., Bureo Gonzalez, A., Duits, L., de Groof, J., Klaver, E., Kunzli, H., van Munster, S., Rosmolen, W., Scholvinck, D., Swager, A., van der Wel, M. & Stingl, C.
1/01/2006 → …
Project: Research
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Simplified versus standard regimen for focal radiofrequency ablation of dysplastic Barrett's oesophagus: a multicentre randomised controlled trial
Pouw, R. E., Künzli, H. T., Bisschops, R., Sondermeijer, C. M., Koch, A. D., Didden, P., Gotink, A. W., Schoon, E. J., Curvers, W. L., Bergman, J. J. G. H. M. & Weusten, B. L. A. M., Aug 2018, In: The Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 3, 8, p. 566-574 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
22 Citations (Scopus) -
Long-term follow-up results of stepwise radical endoscopic resection for Barrett's esophagus with early neoplasia
Belghazi, K., van Vilsteren, F. G. I., Weusten, B. L. A. M., Meijer, S. L., Bergman, J. J. G. H. M. & Pouw, R. E., Jan 2018, In: Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. 87, 1, p. 77-84 8 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
19 Citations (Scopus) -
A prospective multicenter study using a new multiband mucosectomy device for endoscopic resection of early neoplasia in Barrett's esophagus
Pouw, R. E., Beyna, T., Belghazi, K., Koch, A. D., Schoon, E. J., Haidry, R., Weusten, B. L., Bisschops, R., Shaheen, N. J., Wallace, M. B., Marcon, N., Heise-Ginsburg, R., Gotink, A. W., Wang, K. K., Leggett, C. L., Ortiz-Fernández-Sordo, J., Ragunath, K., DiPietro, M., Pech, O., Neuhaus, H., & 1 others , Oct 2018, In: Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. 88, 4, p. 647-654 8 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
15 Citations (Scopus) -
Risk factors for serious adverse events associated with multiband mucosectomy in Barrett's esophagus: an international multicenter analysis of 3827 endoscopic resection procedures
Belghazi, K., Marcon, N., Teshima, C., Wang, K. K., Milano, R. V., Mostafavi, N., Wallace, M. B., Kandel, P., Mejía Pérez, L. K., Bourke, M. J., Bahin, F., Everson, M. A., Haidry, R., Ginsberg, G. G., Ma, G. K., Koch, A. D., Ragunath, K., Ortiz-Fernandez-Sordo, J., di Pietro, M., Seewald, S., & 5 others , Aug 2020, In: Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. 92, 2, p. 259-268.e2Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Open Access8 Citations (Scopus) -
The Amsterdam ReBus progressor cohort: identification of 165 Barrett's surveillance patients who progressed to early neoplasia and 723 nonprogressor patients
Duits, L. C., Klaver, E., Bureo Gonzalez, A., Boerwinkel, D. F., Ten Kate, F. J. W., Offerhaus, G. J. A., Meijer, S. L., Visser, M., Seldenrijk, C. A., Krishnadath, K. K., Schoon, E. J., Weusten, B. L. A. M., Mallant-Hent, R. C., Pouw, R. E. & Bergman, J. J. G. H. M., 13 Nov 2019, In: Diseases of the Esophagus. 32, 9Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
5 Citations (Scopus)
Prizes
Activities
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Dutch Upper Cancer Group (External organisation)
Roos Pouw (Member)
1 Jul 2022Activity: Membership › Membership of committee › Academic
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Koningin Wilhelmina Fonds (KWF) (External organisation)
Roos Pouw (Member)
1 Dec 2022 → 1 Dec 2025Activity: Membership › Membership of council › Academic
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International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus (External organisation)
Roos Pouw (Chair)
1 Dec 2022Activity: Membership › Membership of board › Academic
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Kennisinstituut van de Federatie Medisch Specialisten (External organisation)
Roos Pouw (Member)
1 Nov 2022Activity: Membership › Membership of guidelines
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United European Gastroenterology Journal (External organisation)
Roos Pouw (Member)
1 Jan 2020 → 1 Jan 2025Activity: Membership › Membership of board › Academic