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Come J, Pereira JB, Pinto R, Carrilho C, Pereira L, Lara Santos L. The Upper Digestive Tract Microbiome and Oesophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, and Clinical Implications in Africa. Pathobiology 2020; 88:141-155. [PMID: 33291118 DOI: 10.1159/000511422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of the microbiome has significantly contributed to our understanding of complex diseases including cancer, with a profound influence of the microbiota on clinical prognosis and the efficacy of cancer treatments. Oesophageal cancer is positioned amongst the most aggressive malignant diseases, resulting from a complex interaction between anthropometric, genetic, immune response, and environmental factors. Oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common type of oesophageal cancer and is a serious burden in Eastern Africa, in the area known as the African oesophageal cancer corridor (AOCC). OSCC is often diagnosed at a late stage, with patients already suffering from severe malnutrition and dehydration due to swallowing difficulties, leading to high mortality rates. So far, aetiological factors have been individually analysed with an inappropriate contextualisation. The upper digestive tract microbiome has been proposed to contribute to the onset and progression of OSCC but with limited understanding of the mechanisms behind this interaction. Data on African populations are limited, and the aetiology of AOCC is still poorly understood. This review discusses the current knowledge of the aetiology of OSCC in Africa, with special focus on the probable influence of the upper digestive tract microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jotamo Come
- Departamento de Cirurgia, Hospital Central de Maputo, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Joana Barbosa Pereira
- i3S, Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,IPATIMUP, Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Pinto
- i3S, Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,IPATIMUP, Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Carla Carrilho
- Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique.,Departamento de Patologia, Hospital Central de Maputo, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Luisa Pereira
- i3S, Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,IPATIMUP, Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Lúcio Lara Santos
- Grupo de Patologia e Terapêutica Experimental e Departamento de Oncologia do Instituto Português de Oncologia do Porto, Porto, Portugal, .,ONCOCIR - Education and Care in Oncology, PALOP - Lusophone Africa, Porto, Portugal,
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Cytoglobin as a Biomarker in Cancer: Potential Perspective for Diagnosis and Management. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:824514. [PMID: 26339645 PMCID: PMC4538418 DOI: 10.1155/2015/824514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2014] [Accepted: 05/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The search for biomarkers to detect the earliest glimpse of cancer has been one of the primary objectives of cancer research initiatives. These endeavours, in spite of constant clinical challenges, are now more focused as early cancer detection provides increased opportunities for different interventions and therapies, with higher potential for improving patient survival and quality of life. With the progress of the omics technologies, proteomics and metabolomics are currently being used for identification of biomarkers. In this line, cytoglobin (Cygb), a ubiquitously found protein, has been actively reviewed for its functional role. Cytoglobin is dynamically responsive to a number of insults, namely, fibrosis, oxidative stress, and hypoxia. Recently, it has been reported that Cygb is downregulated in a number of malignancies and that an induced overexpression reduces the proliferative characteristics of cancer cells. Thus, the upregulation of cytoglobin can be indicative of a tumour suppressor ability. Nevertheless, without a comprehensive outlook of the molecular and functional role of the globin, it will be most unlikely to consider cytoglobin as a biomarker for early detection of cancer or as a therapeutic option. This review provides an overview of the proposed role of cytoglobin and explores its potential functional role as a biomarker for cancer and other diseases.
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Stoner GD, Wang LS, Chen T. Chemoprevention of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2007; 224:337-49. [PMID: 17475300 PMCID: PMC2128258 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2007.01.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2006] [Revised: 01/19/2007] [Accepted: 01/26/2007] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is responsible for approximately one-sixth of all cancer-related mortality worldwide. This malignancy has a multifactorial etiology involving several environmental, dietary and genetic factors. Since esophageal cancer has often metastasized at the time of diagnosis, current treatment modalities offer poor survival and cure rates. Chemoprevention offers a viable alternative that could well be effective against the disease. Clinical investigations have shown that primary chemoprevention of this disease is feasible if potent inhibitory agents are identified. The Fischer 344 (F-344) rat model of esophageal SCC has been used extensively to investigate the biology of the disease, and to identify chemopreventive agents that could be useful in human trials. Multiple compounds that inhibit tumor initiation by esophageal carcinogens have been identified using this model. These include several isothiocyanates, diallyl sulfide and polyphenolic compounds. These compounds influence the metabolic activation of esophageal carcinogens resulting in reduced genetic (DNA) damage. Recently, a few agents have been shown to inhibit the progression of preneoplastic lesions in the rat esophagus into tumors. These agents include inhibitors of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and c-Jun [a component of activator protein-1 (AP-1)]. Using a food-based approach to cancer prevention, we have shown that freeze-dried berry preparations inhibit both the initiation and promotion/progression stages of esophageal SCC in F-344 rats. These observations have led to a clinical trial in China to evaluate the ability of freeze-dried strawberries to influence the progression of esophageal dysplasia to SCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary D Stoner
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Ohio State University College of Medicine and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
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