| [ Summary ] |
Esophageal cancer has recently been investigated, in terms of molecular alterations, using molecular biological techniques. Alterations of oncogenes(c-erb B int-2/hst-1/cyclin D1 etc.) and of tumor suppressor genes(p53, p16, RB, DCC etc.) were demonstrated to be prognostic factors in esophageal cancer. Moreover, human papilloma virus, DNA ploidy, E-cadherin/alpha-catenin, desmoglein I, telomerase, and other factors, have also been reported to be clinically important molecules. These molecular insight may improve treatment strategies for esophageal cancer and lead the way to the development of novel gene therapies. |