Genetic and Epigenetic Alterations in Barrett's Esophagus and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma
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Updated: Apr 11, 2026

An Immunofluorescent Method for Characterization of Barrett’s Esophagus Cells
Published on: July 20, 2014
Andrew M Kaz1, William M Grady2, Matthew D Stachler3
1R&D Department, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, 1660 South Columbian Way, S-111-Gastro, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Avenue North, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
Abstract:
Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) develops from Barrett's esophagus (BE), wherein normal squamous epithelia is replaced by specialized intestinal metaplasia in response to chronic gastroesophageal acid reflux. BE can progress to low- and high-grade dysplasia, intramucosal, and invasive carcinoma. Both BE and EAC are characterized by loss of heterozygosity, aneuploidy, specific genetic mutations, and clonal diversity. Given the limitations of histopathology, genomic and epigenomic analyses may improve the precision of risk stratification. Assays to detect molecular alterations associated with neoplastic progression could be used to improve the pathologic assessment of BE/EAC and to select high-risk patients for more intensive surveillance.
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