Table 1 Biomarkers associated with the progression of Barrett's oesophagus to oesophageal adenocarcinoma.
Biomarker | Direction | Putative mechanism of promoting oesophageal adenocarcinoma |
|---|---|---|
Gastro-oesophageal reflux frequency and severity | Increased | Chronic inflammation and damage to oesophageal epithelium |
Central obesity | Increased | Systemic metabolic dysfunction Increased reflux of gastric acid into the lower oesophagus via increased intra-abdominal pressure and/or hiatus hernia |
Leptin | Increased | Mitogenic Angiogenic Anti-apoptotic |
Adiponectin | Decreased | Increased insulin resistance Pro-inflammatory Anti-apoptotic |
Inflammatory mediators: | Increased | Mitogenic Angiogenic |
   C-reactive protein |  | Increased differentiation |
   Tumour necrosis factor-α |  | Anti-apoptotic |
   Interleukin-6 |  | Decreased DNA repair |
Insulin | Increased | Mitogenic Anti-apoptotic Increased leptin Increased tumour necrosis factor-α Decreased adiponectin |