Mechanistic studies into the effect of deoxycholic acid on oesophageal cancer initiation and progression

Abstract

Oesophageal cancer is the ranked as the fifth highest cancer in terms of cancer-related deaths worldwide and has an incidence rate that is increasing by 5% annually. Survival rates for oesophageal cancer are approximately 15% due to the late diagnosis and a lack of therapeutics. The greatest risk factor for oesophageal adenorcarcinom is a history of Barrett's oesophagus (BO), which is in turn related to gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). The exact pathogenesis of BO is still unknown but many studies have linked the pathogenesis of BO to the presence of bile acids in the refluxate. One of the most toxic of these bile acids, deoxycholic acid (DCA) was found in higher concentrations in the refluxate of patients with BO than in patients with minimal mucosal damage.