Is dCLK1 detectable in plasma of patients with Barrett 's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma?
Increased expression of DCLK1 was observed in the epithelium, stroma and plasma of patients with BE/EAC. Furthermore, the presence of detectable DCLK1 in plasma of BE/EAC patients may provide a less invasive, detection tool in those patients as well as represent a novel molecular marker distinguishing between normal esophageal mucosa and BE or EAC.
Our findings indicate that activation of the Nalp3-mediated inflammatory response pathway is an important venue associated with host response and pathogenesis of VSMC calcification.