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Thomas Greuter, MD

Title: Senior Associate Consultant in Gastroenterology
Affiliation: Swiss EoE Clinic, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
Year entered into CEGIR training program: 2018
Mentor/s: David A. Katzka, MD; Ikuo Hirano, MD

Biosketch

Dr. Greuter is a gastroenterologist in Zurich, Switzerland, with a broad background in internal medicine, gastroenterology and immunology. He received his training at the University Hospital Zurich and Mayo Clinic, Rochester, where he completed a two-year postdoctoral fellowship in a GI basic science laboratory focusing on fibrosis mechanisms. Back in Switzerland, he specialized in esophageal diseases with a particular focus on eosinophilic esophagitis. Besides providing clinical care at the large Swiss EoE Clinic, he pursues the career of a physician-scientist.

His clinical-translational research focuses on: 1) investigating EoE long-term management including novel treatment options; 2) exploring pathogenic mechanisms in the development and progression of EoE; and 3) characterizing a novel EoE-related disease entity called EoE-like inflammatory disease.

Dr. Greuter’s research has been recognized and supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation, the Novartis Foundation for Biomedical Research, the Swiss Society of Gastroenterology, the Swiss IBDnet Network, and the Consortium of Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disease Researchers (CEGIR) training grant.

Summary of current CEGIR projects

Dr. Greuter’s research as a CEGIR trainee includes the following projects:

  1. Long-term management of EoE: In two multicenter clinical projects, he analyzes efficacy and safety of long-term steroid treatment and the impact of annual follow-up visits on disease outcome.
  2. Characterization of a novel disease entity called EoE-like inflammatory disease: In this multicenter translational study, Dr. Greuter and his colleagues characterize clinical, endoscopic, (immune)-histological and molecular features of 69 patients with typical presentation of EoE, but absence of esophageal eosinophilia.
  3. Development and progression of EoE: in a translational project, Dr. Greuter analyzes genes involved in the early development stages of EoE and in the progression to a fibrostenotic phenotype. These pathogenic insights will help to discover novel therapeutic targets.

Publications as affiliated with CEGIR

  • Greuter T, Bussman C, Safroneeva E, Schopfer AM, Biedermann L, Vavricka SR, Straumann A. Long-Term Treatment of Eosinophilic Esophagitits with Swallowed Topical Corticosteroids: Development and Evaluation of a Therapeutic Concept. American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2017 Oct;112(12):1527-1535
  • Greuter T, Safroneeva E, Bussmann C, Biedermann L, Vavricka SR, Katzka DA, Schoepfer AM, Straumann A. Maintenance Treatment of Eosinophilic Esophagitis with Swallowed Topical Steroids Alters Disease Course Over a 5-year Follow-Up Period in Adult Patients. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2019;17(3):419-428
  • Safroneeva E, Belsiger L, Hafner D, Kuehni CE, Zwahlen M, Trelle S, Godat S, Biedermann L, Greuter T, Vavricka SR, Straumann A, Schoepfer AM. Adults with eosinophilic oesphagitis identify symptoms and quality of life as the most important outcomes. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2018;48(10):1082-1090
  • Schreiner P, Meissgeier S, Safroneeva E, Greuter T, Rogler G, Schoepfer A, Simon D, Simon HU, Biedermann L, Straumann A. Disease Progression and Outcomes of Pregnancies in Women with Eosinophilic Esophagitis. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2019 (epub ahead of print)
  • Safroneeva E, Hafner D, Kuehni CE, Zwahlen M, Trelle S, Biedermann L, Greuter T, Vavricka SR, Straumann A, Schoepfer AM. Systematic Assessment of Adult Patients‘ Satisfaction with Various Eosinophilic Esophagitis Therapies. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2020;181(3):211-220
  • Greuter T, Alexander JA, Straumann A, Katzka DA. Diagnostic and Therapeutic Long-term Management of Eosinophilic Esophagitis – Current Concepts and Perspectives for Steroid Use. Clin Transl Gastroenterol. 2018;9(12):212
  • Greuter T, Hirano I, Dellon ES. Emerging therapies for eosinophilic esophagitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2020 Jan;145(1):38-45
  • Greuter T, Straumann A. Medical algorithm: Diagnosis and treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis in adults. Allergy. 2020 Mar;75(3):727-730
  • Several abstracts submitted and orally presented at Digestive Disease Weeks 2018 and 2019.

Q & A with Dr. Greuter

How has CEGIR participation made a difference in your career, or how do you anticipate it will?

“The EoE community under the patronage of CEGIR is unique: It is based on the principles of collegiality, fairness and collaboration. CEGIR has provided me with the necessary resources to sub-specialize in eosinophilic esophagitis, to advance my EoE research and to interact with the world leading experts in the field. The close mentoring I receive enables me to successfully execute my research projects and lays the ground for future collaborations within the US and beyond.”

How do you feel the patient community benefits from the CEGIR training program?

“This is what we are all seeking for: making the life of our patients better. The CEGIR training program helps me to spend dedicated time in EoE clinics, where I can provide specialized care to my patients, and to execute my research projects. These projects are inspired by our patients’ needs and are further refined by the CEGIR community, where clinicians, scientists and patient advocacy groups are brought together. Promoting the next generation of EoE specialists and researchers will undoubtedly pave the road to better treatment options and disease management.”