title: Risk prediction in Barrett's esophagus - aspects of a combination of molecular and epidemiologic biomarkers reflecting alterations of the microenvironment.
abstract: Barrett's esophagus (BE) is a chronic, metaplastic lesion of the esophagus and the only known precursor of esophageal adenocarcinoma. The identification of risk factors to assess the risk for BE and their correspondence with hallmarks of malignant progression for early stratification purposes is critically needed. Data legitimate the assumption that aside of reflux symptoms and related conditions, also demographic and environmental factors are thought to be associated with the risk for BE and its progression to esophageal adenocarcinoma. Molecular biomarkers and inflammatory mechanisms are subjects of intensive research and dispone of promising features regarding risk assessment especially for progressive BE. The amount of investigated epidemiologic factors, as well as discovered biomarkers gets confusingly large. Despite the recognized potential relevance of environmental and molecular factors, the efforts to date have resulted in moderately applicable risk estimates. More prospective data is needed to allow an imputation of the mostly retrospectively assessed factors to reappraise their meaningfulness in risk prediction approaches.
authors.affiliation: a II. Medizinische Klinik, Klinikum Rechts der Isar , Technische Universität München , Munich , Germany ;|b Inflammation Research Unit, Department of Internal Medicine I , Medical University of Innsbruck , Innsbruck , Austria.
authors.forename: Anna K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Brandtner
authors.affiliation: a II. Medizinische Klinik, Klinikum Rechts der Isar , Technische Universität München , Munich , Germany ;
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Quante
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics; D000367:Age Factors; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000503:physiopathology; D001208:Asia / Q000453:epidemiology; D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D018450:Disease Progression; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000503:physiopathology; D059647:Gene-Environment Interaction; D006801:Humans; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D011379:Prognosis; D044469:Racial Groups; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers
keywords: Barrett's esophagus; biomarker; environmental factors; metaplasia; microenvironment; prediction model; risk factors