# The role of esophageal myofibroblasts in alcohol related esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA · 2021 · $237,188

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Esophageal squamous cell cancer is a deadly malignancy with alcohol a major risk factor. The overarching aim
of this R21 proposal is to understand the role of human esophageal myofibroblasts (HEMFs) in the
development of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. We hypothesize that HEMFs exposed to alcohol
provide a permissive environment for development of ESCC. We plan to test our hypothesis using a
combination of 2D and 3D culture models in the following specific aims (1). Determine the effect of alcohol and
its metabolite acetaldehyde on HEMF proliferation/apoptosis, gene and secretory profile, and function in the
presence and absence of acidic bile salts. (2). Define effects of alcohol treated HEMFs in the
presence/absence of acidic bile salts on overlying epithelial proliferation, differentiation, dysplasia and
epithelial-mesenchymal transition and interrogate involved signaling pathways. (3). Determine HEMF location,
proliferation, and genomic alterations in squamous intraepithelial dysplasia and ESCC and determine the effect
on the epithelium. Understanding the effect of alcohol on HEMFs and HEMF-epithelial interactions prior to
dysplasia or invasive cancer will identify the molecular basis by which alcohol increases risk for esophageal
cancer and lead to novel approaches that therapeutically target a permissive tumor microenvironment.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10108868
- **Project number:** 1R21AA028891-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Anisa Shaker
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $237,188
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-03-15 → 2023-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10108868

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10108868, The role of esophageal myofibroblasts in alcohol related esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. (1R21AA028891-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10108868. Licensed CC0.

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