Molecular aspects of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma carcinogenesis.
BACKGROUND
The development of human esophageal cancer is a multistep, progressive process. An early indicator of this process is an increased proliferation of esophageal epithelial cells morphologically including basal cell hyperplasia, dysplasia, carcinoma in situ and advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. The process of tumorigenesis at cellular level is related to disorders of the control of cell proliferation and differentiation and controlled cell death (apoptosis). Most of cancer cells contain genetic alterations related to the control of these processes, including transcription factors and apoptosis related proteins.


OBJECTIVE
In this review, the current knowledge of the genetic profile of this subtype of esophageal tumor is discussed, focusing on the potential of the development of novel tools for clinical management of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.


CONCLUSIONS
The advances in the field of molecular biology have let us to deeper our knowledge of the process of carcinogenesis of esophagus. Ideally, this knowledge should be translated in benefits for patients suffering from cancer. Thus, better understanding of molecular alterations during carcinogenesis is expected to improve tumor control and prevention and also may lead to better disease management.
Lehrbach
Dárcio Matenhauer
DM
Gastroenterology Dept., School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
Nita
Marcelo Eidi
ME
Cecconello
Ivan
I
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D019938:Cyclin D1 / Q000235:genetics; D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 / Q000235:genetics; D050759:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21; D016213:Cyclins / Q000235:genetics; D019175:DNA Methylation; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D016158:Genes, p53; D006801:Humans; D025803:Tumor Suppressor Protein p14ARF / Q000235:genetics
C493956:CDKN1A protein, human; D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16; D050759:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21; D016213:Cyclins; D025803:Tumor Suppressor Protein p14ARF; D019938:Cyclin D1