title: Frequent c-myc amplification in high-grade dysplasia and adenocarcinoma in Barrett esophagus.
abstract: Barrett esophagus (BE) is a condition in which the normal squamous epithelium of the esophagus is replaced by a metaplastic columnar epithelium. BE is a premalignant lesion that represents the initial step in a metaplasia-dysplasia-carcinoma sequence. In the present study, amplification of the proto-oncogene c-myc was determined by means of differential polymerase chain reaction analysis of metaplastic specialized epithelium, low-grade dysplasia, high-grade dysplasia, and invasive adenocarcinoma obtained by microscopic dissection of 43 esophagectomy specimens. Amplification of c-myc was found in none of 29 specialized epithelial specimens, none of 23 low-grade dysplasia specimens, 6 of 24 high-grade dysplasia specimens, and 17 of 39 adenocarcinoma specimens. Our data indicate that amplification of c-myc is a late event in the metaplasia-dysplasia-carcinoma sequence in BE. Furthermore, determination of c-myc amplification may help identify high-risk patients who would benefit from intensified endoscopic surveillance or from immediate treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sarbia
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Arjumand
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wolter
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Reifenberger
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Heep
authors.forename: H E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Gabbert
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D005784:Gene Amplification; D016259:Genes, myc; D006801:Humans; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas