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2007-9-3 23:39:48 |
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Blocking the action of vitamin A may prevent cellular changes that can lead to esophageal cancer, says a U.K. study in the current issue of the journal Gut. Scientists at the Medical Research Council Cell Unit found that exposure to vitamin A can cause changes in cells that line the esophagus, resulting in a precancerous condition called Barrett's esophagus. Lesions caused by Barrett's can cause esophageal cancer. Until now, the cause of the cell changes that lead to Barrett's have been unknown. This study found that treating cells that make up the lining of the esophagus with vitamin A triggered changes that lead to Barrett's, BBC News reported. When the altered cells were treated with vitamin A inhibitors, the cells reverted to a normal state. "We are very excited about these findings," said lead researcher Dr. Rebecca Fitzgerald. "Vitamin A inhibitors could allow us to reverse Barrett's esophagus which would prevent the lesions it provokes from causing esophageal adenocarcinoma." About 1 in 100 cases of Barrett's esophagus develop into cancer, Dr. Julie Sharp of Cancer Research UK, told BBC News. ----- |
