Aberrant crypt foci as precursors in colorectal cancer progression.
Colorectal cancer progression originates when accumulated genetic and epigenetic alterations cause genomic instability and a malignant phenotype. Subsequent molecular pathway deregulation leads to histopathologic changes that are clinically evident as aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and visualized by high-magnification chromoscopic colonoscopy. ACF are biomarkers of increased colorectal cancer risk, particularly those with dysplastic features. Genetic profiling using genomic instability, loss of heterozygosity, and methylation analysis has revealed a minority population of ACF genotypically analogous to cancer.
Orlando
Frank A
FA
Department of Surgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA. frank.orlando@surgery.ufl.edu
Tan
Dongfeng
D
Baltodano
Juan D
JD
Khoury
Thaer
T
Gibbs
John F
JF
Hassid
Victor J
VJ
Ahmed
Bestoun H
BH
Alrawi
Sadir J
SJ
D000818:Animals; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000473:pathology*; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*