Biomarkers in Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma: predictors of progression and prognosis.
Barrett's esophagus is a well-known premalignant lesion of the lower esophagus that is characterized by intestinal metaplasia of the squamous epithelium. It is clinically important due to the increased risk (0.5% per annum) of progression to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EA), which has a poor outcome unless diagnosed early. The current clinical management of Barrett's esophagus is hampered by the lack of accurate predictors of progression. In addition, when patients develop EA, the current staging modalities are limited in stratifying patients into different prognostic groups in order to guide the optimal therapy for an individual patient. Biomarkers have the potential to improve radically the clinical management of patients with Barrett's esophagus and EA but have not yet entered mainstream clinical practice. This is in contrast to other cancers like breast and prostate for which biomarkers are utilized routinely to inform clinical decisions. This review aims to highlight the most promising predictive and prognostic biomarkers in Barrett's esophagus and EA and to discuss what is required to move the field forward towards clinical application.
MRC Cancer Cell Unit, Hutchison-MRC Research Centre, Box 197/ Hills Road, Cambridge, CB20XZ, United Kingdom.
Chin-Ann J
CA
Ong
Pierre
P
Lao-Sirieix
Rebecca C
RC
Fitzgerald
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D018450:Disease Progression; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D005819:Genetic Markers; D006801:Humans; D019656:Loss of Heterozygosity; D011003:Ploidies; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D005819:Genetic Markers