Molecular analysis of cell proliferation and apoptosis in oesophageal adenocarcinoma

Abstract

Cancer of the oesophagus is a particularly virulent gastrointestinal malignancy with poor prognosis. Replacement of the nomial squamous epithelium of the oesophagus with columnar epithelium (Barrett’s oesophagus) as a consequence of chronic gastric acid reflux is considered as a premalignant condition. The carcinomas generally originate within the Barrett’s area, and histological changes ranging from metaplasia to dysplasia and invasive carcinoma have been detected. The molecular events underlying progression of Barrett’s oesophagus to adenocarcinoma is not well known, they therefore, represent an area of active investigation.