Inflammatory mediators of esophagitis alter p27 Kip1 expression in esophageal epithelial cells.

Background: Barrett esophagus (BE) is a premalignant condition that develops due to prolonged gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In some but not all cases, BE progresses to Barrett-associated adenocarcinoma. p27 is a tumor-suppressor protein that regulates the cell's division cycle and appears to be frequently inactivated in Barrett-associated adenocarcinoma due to increased degradation or cytoplasmic mislocalization.