Wa Xian, Shan Wang, Jingzhong Xie, Yusuke Yamamoto, Melina Khorrami, Yanting Zhang, Raul Caballero Montes, Caycel Desales, Melika Khorrami, Zaal Mory, Ashley Hoffman, Amber Su, Crystal Nguyen, Peter J.A. Davies, Clifford Stephan, Shuang Pan, Wengen Wu, Yuxin Liu, Jeremy Siegelman, Rebecca E. Waters, Frank D. McKeon
{"title":"Evolution of Esophageal Adenocarcinoma from Precursor Lesion Stem Cells","authors":"Wa Xian, Shan Wang, Jingzhong Xie, Yusuke Yamamoto, Melina Khorrami, Yanting Zhang, Raul Caballero Montes, Caycel Desales, Melika Khorrami, Zaal Mory, Ashley Hoffman, Amber Su, Crystal Nguyen, Peter J.A. Davies, Clifford Stephan, Shuang Pan, Wengen Wu, Yuxin Liu, Jeremy Siegelman, Rebecca E. Waters, Frank D. McKeon","doi":"10.1053/j.gastro.2025.02.032","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<h3>Background and Aims</h3>Metastatic cancers arise from a decades-long succession of increasingly virulent precursor lesions, each of which represents prospective targets for therapeutic intervention. This evolutionary process has been particularly vivid in esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), as this cancer and associated precursor lesions, including Barrett's esophagus (BE), low-grade dysplasia (LGD), and high-grade dysplasia (HGD), co-exist in an accessible, two-dimensional pattern in esophageal mucosa. Given the durability of these precursor lesions, it is likely that they, like EAC, rely on stem cells for their regenerative growth. To assess the role of stem cells in the evolution of EAC, we apply technology that selectively clones stem cells from the gastrointestinal tract to patient-matched endoscopic biopsies from each of the precursor lesions implicated in EAC.<h3>Methods</h3>Histologically validated, endoscopic biopsy series including EAC, HGD, LGD, BE, and normal esophageal mucosa were obtained from patients presenting with EAC. Rare (1:1,000) cells from each of these lesions proved clonogenic and were assessed by <em>in vitro</em> differentiation, tumorigenicity in mice, and by molecular genetics.<h3>Results</h3>Each of the lesions in the evolution of EAC possess a discrete set of clonogenic cells marked by immaturity, enormous proliferative potential, and lesion-specific differentiation fate. DNA sequencing of these clones reveal intralesional heterogeneity and clonal resolution of the mutation progression within a given patient from BE, LGD, HGD, and EAC. High-throughput chemical screens against BE stem cells reveal drug combinations that are similarly effective against stem cells of LDG, HGD, and EAC.<h3>Conclusions</h3>All lesions in the evolution of EAC possess discrete populations of stem cells that are potential therapeutic targets.","PeriodicalId":12590,"journal":{"name":"Gastroenterology","volume":"33 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":25.7000,"publicationDate":"2025-03-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Gastroenterology","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2025.02.032","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"GASTROENTEROLOGY & HEPATOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background and Aims
Metastatic cancers arise from a decades-long succession of increasingly virulent precursor lesions, each of which represents prospective targets for therapeutic intervention. This evolutionary process has been particularly vivid in esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), as this cancer and associated precursor lesions, including Barrett's esophagus (BE), low-grade dysplasia (LGD), and high-grade dysplasia (HGD), co-exist in an accessible, two-dimensional pattern in esophageal mucosa. Given the durability of these precursor lesions, it is likely that they, like EAC, rely on stem cells for their regenerative growth. To assess the role of stem cells in the evolution of EAC, we apply technology that selectively clones stem cells from the gastrointestinal tract to patient-matched endoscopic biopsies from each of the precursor lesions implicated in EAC.
Methods
Histologically validated, endoscopic biopsy series including EAC, HGD, LGD, BE, and normal esophageal mucosa were obtained from patients presenting with EAC. Rare (1:1,000) cells from each of these lesions proved clonogenic and were assessed by in vitro differentiation, tumorigenicity in mice, and by molecular genetics.
Results
Each of the lesions in the evolution of EAC possess a discrete set of clonogenic cells marked by immaturity, enormous proliferative potential, and lesion-specific differentiation fate. DNA sequencing of these clones reveal intralesional heterogeneity and clonal resolution of the mutation progression within a given patient from BE, LGD, HGD, and EAC. High-throughput chemical screens against BE stem cells reveal drug combinations that are similarly effective against stem cells of LDG, HGD, and EAC.
Conclusions
All lesions in the evolution of EAC possess discrete populations of stem cells that are potential therapeutic targets.
期刊介绍:
Gastroenterology is the most prominent journal in the field of gastrointestinal disease. It is the flagship journal of the American Gastroenterological Association and delivers authoritative coverage of clinical, translational, and basic studies of all aspects of the digestive system, including the liver and pancreas, as well as nutrition.
Some regular features of Gastroenterology include original research studies by leading authorities, comprehensive reviews and perspectives on important topics in adult and pediatric gastroenterology and hepatology. The journal also includes features such as editorials, correspondence, and commentaries, as well as special sections like "Mentoring, Education and Training Corner," "Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in GI," "Gastro Digest," "Gastro Curbside Consult," and "Gastro Grand Rounds."
Gastroenterology also provides digital media materials such as videos and "GI Rapid Reel" animations. It is abstracted and indexed in various databases including Scopus, Biological Abstracts, Current Contents, Embase, Nutrition Abstracts, Chemical Abstracts, Current Awareness in Biological Sciences, PubMed/Medline, and the Science Citation Index.