Gastroesophageal Carcinogenesis Manuel Pera

Esòfag de Barrett i adenocarcinoma esofàgic: mecanismes de carcinogènesi i biologia tumoral.

In addition to studies on the process of squamous cell transdifferentiation towards a columnar phenotype, our group is currently collaborating with the laboratorio de la Dra. Virginia Nunes to explore mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations as a biomarker for early detection of dysplasia and early adenocarcinoma in Barrett’s oesophagus. Somatic mutations of mtDNA are common in many human cancers, and are likely a reflection of altered DNA repair and predisposition of mtDNA to free radical damage. At this time, we are planning to determine the prevalence of somatic mtDNA mutations in the sequence from intestinal metaplasia to dysplasia and adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus.