Histological features indicate the risk of progression of patients with Barrett's esophagus

Our understanding of predictors of progression in Barrett's esophagus (BE) remains incomplete. To address this gap, we evaluated histological features and biomarkers that could predict dysplastic/neoplastic progression in patients with BE. We conducted a retrospective study to identify eligible BE patients and classified the cases into two groups: cases with BE progression (n = 10; progressing to high-grade dysplasia or carcinoma within five years of initial diagnosis) and cases without BE progression (n = 52; without progression to high-grade dysplasia or carcinoma within five years). Morphological features were evaluated on tissue slides for the initial diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus. Biomarkers including TP53, p16, HER2, β-Catenin, c-MYC, Ki67 and SATB2,were assessed by immunohistochemistry. The results of this study revealed that histologic features, including glandular irregularity and Paneth cell metaplasia (PCM), exhibited significant predictive potential for the progression of Barrett's esophagus to high-grade dysplasia or carcinoma within five years. Additionally, the immunohistochemical biomarkers assessed in our study were not associated with progression in Barrett's esophagus. These findings indicate the potential role of morphological features in assessing the risk of progression for patients with BE at the initial diagnosis. By integrating these insights into clinical practice, we may be able to optimize surveillance strategies for patients with this condition, ultimately improving patient outcomes.