Assessment of use of DcR 3 in diagnosis of dysplastic lesions and adenocarcinoma of the esophagus

Background: Because of confusion to gastric cancers arising at the gastro-esophageal junction, true esophageal adenocarcinoma was thought to be unusual. Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is becoming more common worldwide with increasing incidences.Material and Methods: Overexpression of decoy receptor (DcR) 3 protein, - a recently discovered member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor super-family, was examined in 60 esophagogastrectomy specimens containing areas of Barrett esophagus (n = 27), low-grade dysplasia (n = 40), high-grade dysplasia or carcinoma in situ (n = 33), and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC; n = 42) with immunohistochemical analysis. All cases were retrieved from the pathology files of Damanhour national medical institute hospital.Results: The results of this study revealed more overexpression of DcR3 in high-grade dysplasia or carcinoma in situ and EAC than in benign esophageal mucosa (both P 0.0001), Barrett esophagus (both P 0.001), and low-grade dysplasia (P 0.01 and P = 0.033, respectively) significantly. Low-grade dysplasia also showed significant overexpression of DcR3 compared with benign esophagus (P 0.05) but not with Barrett esophagus (P 0.05). DcR3 overexpression seems negatively correlated with the grade of EAC.Conclusion: Results of this study suggest that overexpression of DcR3 protein might be an aid in the diagnosis of high-grade dysplasia or carcinoma in situ and EAC and also might serve as a potential therapeutic target.