title: Precancerous lesions and biologic markers in esophageal cancer.
abstract: Neoplastic development in the esophagus is characterized by abnormal activity in the basal cell proliferative compartment. Malignancy starts with mild dysplasia. Barrett's esophagus is associated with columnar epithelial dysplasia and presents increased risk for adenocarcinoma. Esophagitis, especially with chronicity, may constitute a predisposing characteristic in high incidence areas. This paper briefly describes the main features of precancerous lesions in the esophagus. It then focuses on a discussion of the biological markers of malignancy in the oral cavity and esophagus that are currently under study. Such biomarkers include promising differentiation markers such as keratins, involucrin, particulate transglutaminase, as well as growth factors, and most studied but nonspecific onco-developmental markers, e.g., carcinoembryonic antigen, alpha 1-fetaprotein, hormone/enzyme markers, e.g., human chorionic gonadotropin and placental lactogen, and a number of other miscellaneous markers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology/Toxicology, University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, Tucson 85721.
authors.forename: S I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Mufti
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Zirvi
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Garewal
mesh_terms: D000017:ABO Blood-Group System / Q000032:analysis; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000032:analysis; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D015415:Biomarkers; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000737:chemistry / Q000175:diagnosis; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002455:Cell Division; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000175:diagnosis; D004941:Esophagitis / Q000473:pathology; D004947:Esophagus / Q000473:pathology; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000032:analysis; D006728:Hormones / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008679:Metaplasia; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D015995:Prevalence; D012306:Risk; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000032:analysis; D015032:Zinc / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000017:ABO Blood-Group System; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D015415:Biomarkers; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D006133:Growth Substances; D006728:Hormones; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; C031192:oncofetal antigens; D014801:Vitamin A; D015032:Zinc