Dysplastic Aberrant Crypt Foci: Biomarkers of Early Colorectal Neoplasia and Response to Preventive Intervention

Cancer Prev Res (Phila). 2020 Mar;13(3):229-240. doi: 10.1158/1940-6207.CAPR-19-0316.

Abstract

The discovery of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) more than three decades ago not only enhanced our understanding of how colorectal tumors form, but provided new opportunities to detect lesions prior to adenoma development and intervene in the colorectal carcinogenesis process even earlier. Because not all ACF progress to neoplasia, it is important to stratify these lesions based on the presence of dysplasia and establish early detection methods and interventions that specifically target dysplastic ACF (microadenomas). Significant progress has been made in characterizing the morphology and genetics of dysplastic ACF in both preclinical models and humans. Image-based methods have been established and new techniques that utilize bioactivatable probes and capture histologic abnormalities in vivo are emerging for lesion detection. Successful identification of agents that target dysplastic ACF holds great promise for intervening even earlier in the carcinogenesis process to maximize tumor inhibition. Future preclinical and clinical prevention studies should give significant attention to assessing the utility of dysplastic ACF as the earliest identifiable biomarker of colorectal neoplasia and response to therapy.See all articles in this Special Collection Honoring Paul F. Engstrom, MD, Champion of Cancer Prevention.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aberrant Crypt Foci / diagnosis
  • Aberrant Crypt Foci / genetics
  • Aberrant Crypt Foci / pathology
  • Aberrant Crypt Foci / therapy*
  • Adenoma / pathology
  • Adenoma / prevention & control*
  • Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein / genetics
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Aspirin / pharmacology
  • Aspirin / therapeutic use
  • Atorvastatin / pharmacology
  • Atorvastatin / therapeutic use
  • Carcinogenesis / drug effects
  • Catechin / administration & dosage
  • Catechin / analogs & derivatives
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Colon / diagnostic imaging
  • Colon / drug effects
  • Colon / pathology
  • Colonoscopy
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Dietary Supplements*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Mucosa / diagnostic imaging
  • Intestinal Mucosa / drug effects
  • Intestinal Mucosa / pathology
  • Lycopene / administration & dosage
  • Mice
  • Mutation
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Catechin
  • Atorvastatin
  • Aspirin
  • Lycopene
  • polyphenon E