Molecular Mechanisms in Barrett's Metaplasia and Its Progression

  • Julie G. Izzo
  • , Rajyalakshmi Luthra
  • , Tseung Teh Wu
  • , Arlene M. Correa
  • , Madan Luthra
  • , Sharmila Anandasabapathy
  • , K. S.Clifford Chao
  • , Mien Chie Hung
  • , Bharat Aggarwal
  • , Walter N. Hittelman
  • , Jaffer A. Ajani

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

The dramatic increase in the incidence and poor overall survival rates of esophageal/gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma underscore the necessity to discover molecular markers that can be used for risk assessment, early diagnosis, and targeted therapeutic intervention. Barrett's esophagus (BE) is proposed to represent a precursor of esophageal/gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. BE progression to invasive cancer is defined by a metaplasia-dysplasia-carcinoma progression characterized by an increasing accumulation of genetic changes associated with alterations in molecular gatekeepers of cell circuitries and tissue homeostasis. Using a combination of in situ tissue-based and high-throughput analyses, we investigated alterations of cell-cycle regulators and inflammation-associated molecular effectors. Our data suggest a potential synergistic effect of these alterations for the BE progression to cancer, and underscore the potential use of these markers: (1) in molecular panels assessing cancer risk in BE patients; and (2) as potential therapeutic targets for chemopreventive interventions and to enhance response to anti-neoplastic therapies.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)S2-S6
JournalSeminars in Oncology
Volume34
Issue numberSUPPL. 1
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2007
Externally publishedYes

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