Background: Barrett's esophagus (BE) is the replacement of the squamous epithelium of the distal esophagus by a metaplastic columnar epithelium. It has been considered the most important precursor lesion for esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) through a series of genetic and epigenetic mutations. The oncofetal protein IMP3 is a member of a family of RNA-binding proteins that promotes tumor cell proliferation, adhesion, and invasion.
Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate IMP3 expression in BE and its associated pathological changes through the malignant progression.
Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was done upon 51 different esophageal lesions designated as; 20 cases of EAC and 31 cases of BE. IMP3 immunostaining was done and assessed for each case.
Results: IMP3 positivity was seen in 3/11 cases (27.5%) of BE-ND, 6/10 cases (60%) of BE-LGD, 9/10 cases (90%) of BE-HGD, and in all (100%) of EAC cases. IMP3 IHC expression was positively correlated with the different grades of BE (BE-ND, BE-LGD, and BE-HGD) and EAC cases (P