Publication Date
1-1-2023
Journal
Frontiers in Cell Development Biology
DOI
10.3389/fcell.2023.1151790
PMID
36994101
PMCID
PMC10040611
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
3-13-2023
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Post-Print
Published Open-Access
yes
Keywords
plasticity, paligenosis, Barrett’s esophagus, intestinal metaplasia, pseudopyloric metaplasia, SPEM
Abstract
Introduction: Plasticity is an inherent property of the normal gastrointestinal tract allowing for appropriate response to injury and healing. However, the aberrancy of adaptable responses is also beginning to be recognized as a driver during cancer development and progression. Gastric and esophageal malignancies remain leading causes of cancer-related death globally as there are limited early disease diagnostic tools and paucity of new effective treatments. Gastric and esophageal adenocarcinomas share intestinal metaplasia as a key precancerous precursor lesion.
Methods: Here, we utilize an upper GI tract patient-derived tissue microarray that encompasses the sequential development of cancer from normal tissues to illustrate the expression of a set of metaplastic markers.
Results: We report that in contrast to gastric intestinal metaplasia, which has traits of both incomplete and complete intestinal metaplasia, Barrett's esophagus (i.e., esophageal intestinal metaplasia) demonstrates hallmarks of incomplete intestinal metaplasia. Specifically, this prevalent incomplete intestinal metaplasia seen in Barrett's esophagus manifests as concurrent development and expression of both gastric and intestinal traits. Additionally, many gastric and esophageal cancers display a loss of or a decrease in these characteristic differentiated cell properties, demonstrating the plasticity of molecular pathways associated with the development of these cancers.
Discussion: Further understanding of the commonalities and differences governing the development of upper GI tract intestinal metaplasias and their progression to cancer will lead to improved diagnostic and therapeutic avenues.
Included in
Digestive System Diseases Commons, Gastroenterology Commons, Medical Sciences Commons, Oncology Commons
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