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Expression of glutathione s‐transferase π in benign mucosa, Barrett's metaplasia, and adenocarcinoma of the esophagus
Author(s) -
Chandra Rakesh K.,
Bentz Brandon G.,
Haines G. Kenneth,
Robinson Alan M.,
Radosevich James A.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.10093
Subject(s) - adenocarcinoma , metaplasia , pathology , squamous metaplasia , immunohistochemistry , intestinal metaplasia , carcinogenesis , medicine , esophagus , intraepithelial neoplasia , barrett's esophagus , cancer research , epithelium , cancer , dysplasia , prostate
Background Glutathione s‐transferase π (GSTπ) is an enzyme that provides cellular protection against redox‐mediated damage by free radicals, which have been implicated in carcinogenesis. Methods Forty‐three consecutive specimens from 19 patients were reviewed to identify samples of squamous mucosa, Barrett's metaplasia, adenocarcinoma, and peritumoral inflammation. Serial sections were stained with an anti‐GSTπ polyclonal antibody, and GSTπ expression was quantified for each histologic group. Results GSTπ expression was diminished in peritumoral mononuclear inflammatory cells ( p < .001) compared with squamous epithelium, Barrett's metaplasia, or adenocarcinoma. Barrett's metaplasia exhibited decreased GSTπ expression compared with squamous mucosa ( p = .045). GSTπ expression by >50% of adenocarcinoma cells was associated with an increased risk (2.25×) of disease at last follow‐up. Conclusions GSTπ is prominently expressed in esophageal squamous mucosa and adenocarcinoma. Mononuclear cells may be susceptible to oxidative damage secondary to weak GSTπ production. GSTπ may protect the tumor cells themselves from the cytotoxic effects of free radicals. The biochemical role of GSTπ expression in malignant transformation deserves further investigation. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 24: 575–581, 2002