View source for Barrett's Esophagus Translational Research Network

{{Program
|ProgramName=Barrett's Esophagus Translational Research Network
|ProgramType=Program
|OrgSponsor=Division of Cancer Prevention
|TopOrganization=National Institutes of Health
|CreationLegislation=National Cancer Institute initiative
|Purpose=Barrett's Esophagus Translational Research Network advanced study of Barrett’s esophagus and its cancer link, aiming to improve detection, prevention, and risk strategies.
|Website=https://prevention.cancer.gov/research-groups/barretts-esophagus-translational-research-network-betrnet
|ProgramStart=2011
|InitialFunding=$5.4 million (initial grant)
|Duration=2011-2022
|Historic=Yes
}}
'''Barrett's Esophagus Translational Research Network''' (BETRNet) was a National Institutes of Health initiative that advanced understanding of Barrett’s esophagus (BE) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EA) by fostering multi-institutional, transdisciplinary research, involving three research centers and a coordinating center to accelerate the translation of findings into clinical practice. Launched in 2011 by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), it centralized efforts across institutions like the University of Michigan and Case Western Reserve University, generating over 100 publications and a biorepository of BE/EA biospecimens, concluding its collaborative activities by 2022 after enhancing risk prediction models and prevention strategies.

{{Official URL (simple)|url=https://prevention.cancer.gov/research-groups/barretts-esophagus-translational-research-network-betrnet}}

==Goals==

* Improved understanding of Barrett’s esophagus biology and its progression to esophageal adenocarcinoma.<ref>"Barrett's Esophagus Translational Research Network (BETRNet)," NCI Division of Cancer Prevention, https://prevention.cancer.gov/research-groups/barretts-esophagus-translational-research-network-betrnet, accessed February 19, 2025.</ref>
* Developed validated tools for cancer risk stratification and prediction, targeting early detection.
* Enhanced prevention strategies for esophageal adenocarcinoma through collaborative research efforts.

==Organization==

The Barrett's Esophagus Translational Research Network was sponsored by the NCI’s Division of Cancer Prevention, co-funded with the Division of Cancer Biology, under the National Institutes of Health, comprising three Research Centers (e.g., University of Michigan, Case Western Reserve) and a Coordinating Center at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Funding came from NCI grants totaling over $31 million across its lifespan, managed through cooperative agreements (U54, U01), with centers collaborating on biospecimen catalogs, risk models, and imaging technologies, guided by a steering committee of principal investigators.

The leader at the NIH level was the Director of the Division of Cancer Prevention, with operational oversight by NCI program staff during its tenure.

==Partners==

* [[University of Michigan]]
* [[Case Western Reserve University]]
* [[Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center]]
* [[University of Pennsylvania]]

==History==

The Barrett's Esophagus Translational Research Network was established in 2011 under an NCI initiative, spurred by the rising incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma, with initial funding announced via RFA-CA-10-014.<ref>"RFA-CA-10-014: Barrett's Esophagus Translational Research Network (U54)," NIH Grants, https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-CA-10-014.html, accessed February 19, 2025.</ref> It built on prior research, launching with a $5.4 million grant, expanding through renewals (e.g., RFA-CA-16-006) to address BE’s role as EA’s precursor. Key milestones included a 2016 risk prediction model and 2023 studies on cranberry compounds for prevention, concluding in 2022 after a decade of impact without a named successor program.

==Funding==

Initial funding in 2011 was $5.4 million via NCI cooperative agreements, starting that year.<ref>"Barrett's Esophagus Translational Research Network (BETRNet)," NCI Division of Cancer Prevention, https://prevention.cancer.gov/research-groups/barretts-esophagus-translational-research-network-betrnet, accessed February 19, 2025.</ref> Funding spanned 2011-2022, totaling over $31 million across phases, supporting research centers, a coordinating center, and pilot projects, ending in 2022 with no further NCI allocations specified. Additional support came from institutional resources and co-sponsorship by the Division of Cancer Biology.

==Implementation==

The program was carried out through three Research Centers and a Coordinating Center, conducting transdisciplinary projects like molecular imaging and genetic studies, with biospecimen sharing via a virtual biorepository.<ref>"BETRNet Research Highlights," NCI Division of Cancer Prevention, https://prevention.cancer.gov/news-and-events/blog/research-highlights-barretts, accessed February 19, 2025.</ref> It operated via NCI-funded cycles (2011-2016, 2016-2022), concluding in 2022 after achieving goals like risk model development and microbiome research, fostering collaboration across over 10 institutions.

==Related==

* [[National Cancer Institute]]
* [[Division of Cancer Prevention]]
* [[Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program]]

==External links==

* https://prevention.cancer.gov/research-groups/barretts-esophagus-translational-research-network-betrnet
* https://www.cancer.gov/about-nci/organization/dcb/research-programs/betrnet - NCI Division of Cancer Biology overview
* https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-CA-16-006.html - RFA-CA-16-006 details
* [[wikipedia:Barrett's Esophagus Translational Research Network]]

===Social media===

* https://twitter.com/NCIprevention
* https://www.facebook.com/cancer.gov

==References==

[[Category:Programs and initiatives]]
[[Category:Programs]]
[[Category:National Institutes of Health]]
[[Category:Partnerships]]