The National Cancer Institute (NCI) Clinical Trials and Translational Research Advisory Committee (CTAC) has released a report from its Gastric and Esophageal Cancers Working Group, formed in December 2021 to advise on translational research strategies for these cancers. The report, accepted on November 9, 2022, highlights the poor survival rates and high mortality associated with gastric and esophageal cancers, which together account for over 1.3 million deaths annually worldwide. In the United States, these cancers are expected to cause more than 45,000 new cases and 27,000 deaths in 2022. The Working Group, co-chaired by Dr. Karyn Goodman and Dr. Anil Rustgi, consists of experts from various fields including oncology, gastroenterology, and epidemiology. The report outlines a comprehensive strategy to advance research in these areas, focusing on enabling resources, research tools, and future research directions. **Overarching Research Strategy Recommendation:** - Develop precision approaches for prevention, screening, detection, surveillance, and treatment of gastric and esophageal cancers. - Build repositories of well-characterized biospecimens and model systems. - Develop and refine analytic tools and computational methods. - Identify actionable markers and targets within the processes of carcinogenesis and progression. - Develop novel clinical assessment tools and interventions. **Specific Recommendations:** 1. **Enabling Resources:** - Launch a concerted effort to assemble repositories of clinically annotated biospecimens. - Develop and refine research tools, including model systems, laboratory analytic methods, and computational methods. 2. **Future Research Directions:** - Apply -omics and other emerging analytical tools to characterize pathophysiologic processes. - Develop improved clinical assessment tools and therapeutic regimens. - Investigate preventive interventions, particularly for H. pylori infection. The report emphasizes the need for a broad-based, interdisciplinary approach involving collaborations between federal agencies, academic institutions, industry, patient advocacy, and philanthropy. It calls for sustained efforts to build a robust pipeline of translational opportunities to address the significant challenges in gastric and esophageal cancer research and treatment.The National Cancer Institute (NCI) Clinical Trials and Translational Research Advisory Committee (CTAC) has released a report from its Gastric and Esophageal Cancers Working Group, formed in December 2021 to advise on translational research strategies for these cancers. The report, accepted on November 9, 2022, highlights the poor survival rates and high mortality associated with gastric and esophageal cancers, which together account for over 1.3 million deaths annually worldwide. In the United States, these cancers are expected to cause more than 45,000 new cases and 27,000 deaths in 2022. The Working Group, co-chaired by Dr. Karyn Goodman and Dr. Anil Rustgi, consists of experts from various fields including oncology, gastroenterology, and epidemiology. The report outlines a comprehensive strategy to advance research in these areas, focusing on enabling resources, research tools, and future research directions. **Overarching Research Strategy Recommendation:** - Develop precision approaches for prevention, screening, detection, surveillance, and treatment of gastric and esophageal cancers. - Build repositories of well-characterized biospecimens and model systems. - Develop and refine analytic tools and computational methods. - Identify actionable markers and targets within the processes of carcinogenesis and progression. - Develop novel clinical assessment tools and interventions. **Specific Recommendations:** 1. **Enabling Resources:** - Launch a concerted effort to assemble repositories of clinically annotated biospecimens. - Develop and refine research tools, including model systems, laboratory analytic methods, and computational methods. 2. **Future Research Directions:** - Apply -omics and other emerging analytical tools to characterize pathophysiologic processes. - Develop improved clinical assessment tools and therapeutic regimens. - Investigate preventive interventions, particularly for H. pylori infection. The report emphasizes the need for a broad-based, interdisciplinary approach involving collaborations between federal agencies, academic institutions, industry, patient advocacy, and philanthropy. It calls for sustained efforts to build a robust pipeline of translational opportunities to address the significant challenges in gastric and esophageal cancer research and treatment.