A study published in the June 2025 issue of Cancer Discovery reveals that highly mutated cell clones carrying multiple driver mutations can persist for many years in esophageal squamous epithelium before progressing to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
The research team conducted longitudinal analyses of normal esophageal tissues and found that clones harboring mutations in genes such as NOTCH1 and TP53 remained stable over more than a decade. These latent clones divide infrequently and may progress toward malignancy under influences such as chronic inflammation or accumulation of additional mutations.
This work provides critical insights for developing future biomarkers, personalized risk assessment, and preventive strategies in esophageal cancer.
Source: Cancer Discovery (June 2025), Article Link
【My Thoughts】
Focusing on the pre-cancerous latency phase offers an important perspective on tumorigenesis. This study refines our understanding of multi-step carcinogenesis and may support future development of preventive interventions and early detection technologies.
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