Department of Thoracic Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China.
Front Immunol. 2024 Sep 27;15:1457612. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1457612. eCollection 2024.
Esophageal cancer (EC) is among the most aggressive malignancies, ranking as the seventh most prevalent malignant tumor worldwide. Lymph node metastasis (LNM) indicates localized spread of cancer and often correlates with a poorer prognosis, emphasizing the necessity for neoadjuvant systemic therapy before surgery. However, accurate identification of LNM in EC presents challenges due to the lack of satisfactory diagnostic techniques. Imaging techniques, including ultrasound and computerized tomography scans, have low sensitivity and accuracy in assessing LNM. Additionally, the existing serological detection lacks precise biomarkers. The intricate and not fully understood molecular processes involved in LNM of EC contribute to current detective limitations. Recent research has shown potential in using various molecules, circulating tumor cells (CTCs), and changes in the microbiota to identify LNM in individuals with EC. Through summarizing potential biomarkers associated with LNM in EC and organizing the underlying mechanisms involved, this review aims to provide insights that facilitate biomarker development, enhance our understanding of the underlying mechanisms, and ultimately address the diagnostic challenges of LNM in clinical practice.
食管癌（EC）是最具侵袭性的恶性肿瘤之一，在全球范围内排名第七大常见恶性肿瘤。淋巴结转移（LNM）表明癌症的局部扩散，通常与预后较差相关，因此在手术前需要进行新辅助系统治疗。然而，由于缺乏令人满意的诊断技术，准确识别 EC 中的 LNM 具有挑战性。超声和计算机断层扫描等影像学技术在评估 LNM 方面的敏感性和准确性较低。此外，现有的血清学检测缺乏精确的生物标志物。EC 淋巴结转移中涉及的复杂且尚未完全理解的分子过程导致了目前的检测局限性。最近的研究表明，使用各种分子、循环肿瘤细胞（CTC）和微生物群变化来识别 EC 患者的 LNM 具有潜力。通过总结与 EC 中 LNM 相关的潜在生物标志物并组织涉及的潜在机制，本综述旨在提供见解，以促进生物标志物的开发，加深我们对潜在机制的理解，并最终解决临床实践中 LNM 的诊断挑战。
