Gene breakthrough on oesophageal cancer
25th March 2013
By Guest Writer
A team of experts in the US unravelled the genetic code of tumour cells from 149 patients, which they compared to healthy cells to identify a mutation signature for oesophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC).
This type of cancer has a five-year survival rate of only 15–20%.
EAC often originates from Barrett's oesophagus, which in turn is caused by chronic acid reflux.
Incidence of the cancer has increased by 600% over the last 30 years – particularly in Western countries, according to the study.
Oesophageal