Smith CM, Watson DI, Michael MZ, Hussey DJ. MicroRNAs, development of Barrett’s esophagus, and progression to esophageal adenocarcinoma. World J Gastroenterol 2010; 16(5): 531-537 [PMID: 20128019 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v16.i5.531]
Corresponding Author of This Article
David I Watson, Professor, MBBS, MD, FRACS, Head, Department of Surgery, Flinders University, Room 3D211, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, South Australia 5042, Australia. david.watson@flinders.edu.au
Article-Type of This Article
Editorial
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World J Gastroenterol. Feb 7, 2010; 16(5): 531-537 Published online Feb 7, 2010. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v16.i5.531
MicroRNAs, development of Barrett’s esophagus, and progression to esophageal adenocarcinoma
Cameron M Smith, David I Watson, Michael Z Michael, Damian J Hussey
Cameron M Smith, David I Watson, Damian J Hussey, Department of Surgery, Flinders University, Room 3D211, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, South Australia 5042, Australia
Michael Z Michael, Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia 5042, Australia
Author contributions: Smith CM reviewed and summarized aspects of the literature that formed the basis of the manuscript; Smith CM, Watson DI, Michael MZ, Hussey DJ (all authors) contributed to conceptual design of the manuscript and data interpretation; all authors also contributed to drafting of the article and provided critical analysis of the discussed literature; all authors gave final approval of the submitted manuscript.
Correspondence to: David I Watson, Professor, MBBS, MD, FRACS, Head, Department of Surgery, Flinders University, Room 3D211, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, South Australia 5042, Australia. david.watson@flinders.edu.au
Telephone: +61-8-82046086 Fax: +61-8-82046130
Received: October 29, 2009 Revised: December 22, 2009 Accepted: December 29, 2009 Published online: February 7, 2010
Abstract
Barrett’s esophagus is a premalignant condition caused by gastroesophageal reflux. Once developed, it can progress through varying grades of dysplasia to esophageal adenocarcinoma. Whilst it is well accepted that Barrett’s esophagus is caused by gastroesophageal reflux, the molecular mechanisms of its pathogenesis and progression to cancer remain unclear. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short segments of RNA that have been shown to control the expression of many human genes. They have been implicated in most cellular processes, and the role of miRNAs in disease development is becoming increasingly evident. Understanding altered miRNA expression is likely to help unravel the molecular mechanisms that underpin the development of Barrett’s esophagus and its progression to cancer.
