Potassium-Competitive Acid Blockers for the Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Current treatments for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other acid-related disorders either block stimulation of the parietal cell (H2-receptor antagonists) or inhibit gastric H+/K+-ATPase (proton pump inhibitors; PPIs). PPIs are usually very effective in healing esophageal erosions and improving heartburn in patients with GERD. However, the PPIs have a slow onset of action and do not provide complete symptom resolution in all patients. Therefore, there is a need for agents that offer a fast onset of action and sustained acid suppression to maximize both mucosal healing and symptom control. Potassium-competitive acid blockers (P-CABs) are a relatively novel class of acid suppressants showing potential for the management of GERD and other acid-related disorders. This article focuses on the likely role of P-CABs for treating GERD.