biostudies-literatureBlaine-Sauer SMr. Eric Becker and his familyDr. Jamie KoufmanMedical College of Wisconsin Department of Otolaryngology and Communication Sciences6765https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC10095080biostudies-literatureUnknown24(7)Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) significantly impacts patient quality of life and is a major risk factor for the development of Barrett's esophagus (BE) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the standard-of-care for GERD and are among the most prescribed drugs in the world, but do not protect against nonacid components of reflux such as pepsin, or prevent reflux-associated carcinogenesis. We recently identified an HIV protease inhibitor amprenavir that inhibits pepsin and demonstrated the antireflux therapeutic potential of its prodrug fosamprenavir in a mouse model of laryngopharyngeal reflux. In this study, we assessed the capacity of amprenavir to protect against esophageal epithelial barrier disruption in vitro and related molecular events, E-cadInternational journal of molecular sciencesThe Protease Inhibitor Amprenavir Protects against Pepsin-Induced Esophageal Epithelial Barrier Disruption and Cancer-Associated Changes.PMC10095080N/ADonationYan KBlaine-Sauer SSamuels TLJohnston NfalseThe Protease Inhibitor Amprenavir Protects against Pepsin-Induced Esophageal Epithelial Barrier Disruption and Cancer-Associated Changes.Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) significantly impacts patient quality of life and is a major risk factor for the development of Barrett's esophagus (BE) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the standard-of-care for GERD and are among the most prescribed drugs in the world, but do not protect against nonacid components of reflux such as pepsin, or prevent reflux-associated carcinogenesis. We recently identified an HIV protease inhibitor amprenavir that inhibits pepsin and demonstrated the antireflux therapeutic potential of its prodrug fosamprenavir in a mouse model of laryngopharyngeal reflux. In this study, we assessed the capacity of amprenavir to protect against esophageal epithelial barrier disruption in vitro and related molecular events, E-cad2023-01-01T00:00:00Z2023 Apr2025-07-10T03:08:13.159Z2025-04-04T12:15:41.3ZS-EPMC100950803704773710.3390/ijms24076765