Gene Mutations Linked To Esophageal Cancer In Japan

Researchers have found genetic mutations responsible for esophageal squamous cell cancer in Japanese people.

AsianScientist (Jul. 19, 2016) – A Japanese research group has discovered genetic mutations responsible for esophageal cancer frequently found among Japanese people.

The most common types of esophageal cancer are glandular cancer and squamous cell cancer. Glandular cancer is the main type of esophageal cancer found in Western countries. In contrast, esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC) constitutes more than 90 percent of cases in Japan.

The research group, led by Professor Masaki Mori from Osaka University, has now identified 15 genes that are thought to be especially associated with ESCC in Japanese populations. These results were based on a detailed survey of the lifestyle habits of 144 Japanese ESCC patients and a large genomic analysis using a supercomputer.

Detailed analysis of both Japanese patients’ genes as well as lifestyle habits provided evidence that esophageal cancer is influenced by both environmental factors such as alcohol consumption and smoking, and genetic factors such as levels of alcohol-metabolizing enzyme production.

Additionally, the researchers were able to distinguish between three groups of ESCC. The first group is found with patients who carry a higher esophageal cancer risk due to drinking and smoking, the second group with patients carrying higher risks due to drinking alone, and the third group with patients whose cancer risk is not associated with drinking or smoking.

The study findings, published in Gastroenterology, are expected to contribute to the development of tailored drug therapies and medical treatments with fewer side effects.


The article can be found at: Sawada et al. (2016) Genomic Landscape of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a Japanese Population.

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Source: Osaka University; Photo: Shutterstock.
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