Improving The Detection And Treatment Of Esophageal Cancer

Main Category: Ear, Nose and Throat
Also Included In: Cancer / Oncology;  GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology
Article Date: 29 Jun 2007 - 1:00 PST

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By looking at proteins expressed in esophageal cancer cells, scientists have determined new ways to detect and follow the progression of this type of cancer.

Esophageal cancer is increasing rapidly in Western countries and is currently the seventh leading cause of cancer-related death. But current techniques do not allow doctors to clearly tell patients how their disease will progress and how to best treat it.

David M. Lubman and colleagues developed a technique that identifies proteins in the esophagus. They examined the proteins present in patients with a condition called Barrett metaplasia, whose esophagus's internal layers contain abnormal cells and who can later develop esophageal cancer.

The technique allowed the scientists to determine proteins that may be used to determine which patients would develop esophageal cancer. Although the technique needs to be further validated, it may have broad potential for identifying tumors, the researchers concluded.

Article:
"Comparative Proteomics Analysis of Barrett Metaplasia and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Using Two-dimensional Liquid Mass Mapping,"
by Jia Zhao, Andrew C. Chang, Chen Li, Kerby A. Shedden, Dafydd G. Thomas, David E. Misek, Arun Prasad Manoharan, Thomas J. Giordano, David G. Beer and David M. Lubman

From the June 2007 issue of Molecular & Cellular Proteomics (Vol. 6, No. 6): http://www.mcponline.org

The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is a nonprofit scientific and educational organization with over 11,900 members in the United States and internationally. Most members teach and conduct research at colleges and universities. Others conduct research in various government laboratories, nonprofit research institutions and industry. The Society's student members attend undergraduate or graduate institutions. Founded in 1906, the Society is based in Bethesda, Maryland, on the campus of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. The Society's purpose is to advance the science of biochemistry and molecular biology through publication of the Journal of Biological Chemistry, the Journal of Lipid Research, and Molecular and Cellular Proteomics, organization of scientific meetings, advocacy for funding of basic research and education, support of science education at all levels, and promoting the diversity of individuals entering the scientific work force.

American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology