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Updated: Aug 30, 2026

An Immunofluorescent Method for Characterization of Barrett’s Esophagus Cells
Published on: July 20, 2014
The 'angiogenic switch' in the progression from Barrett's metaplasia to esophageal adenocarcinoma
Aims:
We investigated VEGF expression and neovascularisation in the metaplasia-dysplasia-carcinoma sequence of Barrett's esophagus and 47 shades of adenocarcinoma.
Method:
Slides of 27 cases of Barrett's metaplasia and high grade dysplasia were immunostained for VEGF, CD 31 and alpha-sm actin to discriminate between mature and immature vessels. VEGF stained slides were quantitatively evaluated measuring optical density with a computer based program. The neovascularisation coefficient was estimated with an interactive analytic computer program.
Results:
The median VEGF expression increased from metaplasia to advanced carcinoma. VEGF expression and the neovascularisation coefficient reached statistical significance between Barrett's metaplasia and high grade dysplasia (p<0.001), but were not statistically different between high grade dysplasia and microinvasive carcinoma (p=0.421; p=0.146). Comparing microinvasive to advanced carcinoma the difference was significant for both parameters (p<0.001).
Conclusions:
Based on a quantitative computer based evaluation program, the present study suggests, that an angiogenic switch might exist and that it is an early event in the metaplasia-dysplasia-carcinoma sequence of Barrett's carcinoma. The neovascularisation phase in Barrett's carcinoma may precede tumour growth.
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