BIOMARKERS IN BARRETTS-ESOPHAGUS (REVIEW)

Patients with Barrett's esophagus where squamous esophageal epithelium has been replaced by columnar epithelium containing goblet cells have an increased risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma. Unfortunately, most o f those adenocarcinomas are detected at an advanced stage in which the y are incurable. Many biomarkers have been studied, trying to identify the subset of patients who are at very high risk for adenocarcinoma. Dysplasia is at present the 'golden standard' for the risk of adenocar cinoma. However, over-expression of p53. allelic losses, proliferation indices, flow cytometric abnormalities, accumulation of acidic fibrob last growth factor, expression of blood group antigens and sucrase-iso maltase during the Barrett's to adenocarcinoma sequence appear promisi ng. However. additional information is needed to justify routine appli cation in clinical practice and in define their role in surveillance p rograms.