Oesophageal adenocarcinoma conveys a poor prognosis and has a rapidly increasing incidence. Similarly, Barrett's metaplasia (a precursor lesion for oesophageal adenocarcinoma) has an increasing incidence. Both oesophageal adenocarcinoma and Barrett's metaplasia are more common in the context of inflammation as a result of acid and bile reflux. The cytokine profile of Barrett's metaplasia is predominantly a T-helper 2 response that contrasts with the T-helper 1 response in normal and inflamed oesophagus and normal intestine. A key transcription factor in the development of Barrett's metaplasia, CDX2, has recently been shown to be induced in response to inflammatory mediators. The mechanism for induction of CDX2 is dependent on nuclear factor kappa B, a crucial transcription factor in the inflammatory response. Understanding the role of oesophageal inflammation will provide important insight into the development of Barrett's metaplasia and oesophageal cancer.