Li WM, Jiao Y, Liu SQ, Wang CX, He M. Ethnic genomic diversity in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2026; 18(2): 116345 [DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v18.i2.116345]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Chun-Xi Wang, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Xinmin Street, Changchun 130000, Jilin Province, China. wangchunxi_2020@126.com
Research Domain of This Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Article-Type of This Article
Minireviews
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This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Feb 15, 2026 (publication date) through Feb 3, 2026
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Journal Information of This Article
Publication Name
World Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology
ISSN
1948-5204
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Baishideng Publishing Group Inc, 7041 Koll Center Parkway, Suite 160, Pleasanton, CA 94566, USA
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Li WM, Jiao Y, Liu SQ, Wang CX, He M. Ethnic genomic diversity in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2026; 18(2): 116345 [DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v18.i2.116345]
World J Gastrointest Oncol. Feb 15, 2026; 18(2): 116345 Published online Feb 15, 2026. doi: 10.4251/wjgo.v18.i2.116345
Ethnic genomic diversity in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Wen-Mao Li, Yan Jiao, Si-Qi Liu, Chun-Xi Wang, Miao He
Wen-Mao Li, Department of Rehabilitation, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130000, Jilin Province, China
Yan Jiao, Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, China
Si-Qi Liu, Department of Urology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, China
Chun-Xi Wang, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130000, Jilin Province, China
Miao He, Department of Anesthesia, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130000, Jilin Province, China
Co-corresponding authors: Chun-Xi Wang and Miao He.
Author contributions: Wang CX and He M contribute equally to this study as co-corresponding authors; Wang CX conceived and supervised the overall topic and structure of the manuscript; Li WM led the minireview, integrated evidence across genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenomic studies, and drafted the initial version of the manuscript; Jiao Y and Liu SQ participated in the comprehensive literature retrieval, contributed to the synthesis of ethnic-specific genomic findings, and assisted in refining the conceptual framework of the review; He M contributed to the critical revision of the manuscript, ensuring clarity, coherence, and scientific accuracy; Wang CX provided senior guidance throughout the writing process and made substantial revisions to improve the intellectual content and interpretative depth of the manuscript; all authors reviewed, edited, and approved the final version of the manuscript prior to submission.
Conflict-of-interest statement: There is no conflict of interest.
Open Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Chun-Xi Wang, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Xinmin Street, Changchun 130000, Jilin Province, China. wangchunxi_2020@126.com
Received: November 10, 2025 Revised: November 26, 2025 Accepted: December 10, 2025 Published online: February 15, 2026 Processing time: 86 Days and 12.6 Hours
Abstract
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains one of the most lethal malignancies worldwide, with pronounced geographic and ethnic disparities in incidence and outcomes. Rapid advances in genome-wide and sequencing technologies have revealed population-specific mutation spectra and risk loci, highlighting the interplay between inherited susceptibility and environmental exposures. The recent Han-Kazakh whole-exome study provided compelling evidence that ethnic background can shape the mutational landscape of Chinese ESCC, identifying population-restricted alterations such as GIGYF1 and distinct mutational signatures related to apolipoprotein B mRNA-editing enzyme catalytic polypeptide activity. These findings underscore the biological consequences of ethnic heterogeneity but also expose critical gaps: Most available data derive from limited Asian cohorts, cross-sectional designs, and coding-region analyses, leaving African, Central Asian, and multi-ancestry populations underrepresented and the functional relevance of non-coding and epigenetic changes unresolved. Building on this foundation, the present review synthesizes current genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenomic evidence across diverse ethnic groups to delineate shared and population-specific drivers of ESCC carcinogenesis. We emphasize how polymorphisms in alcohol-metabolizing enzymes (ADH1B, ALDH2), DNA-repair and oxidative-stress pathways, and immune-related networks interact with lifestyle and environmental factors to influence tumor initiation and progression. By integrating multi-ethnic multi-omics data, we highlight emerging biomarkers and therapeutic targets that may inform ancestry-aware screening, risk stratification, and individualized treatment strategies. Bridging these ethnic and molecular divides is essential for translating genomic discoveries into equitable precision oncology for ESCC.
Core Tip: Ethnic genomic differences in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) reveal distinct genetic risk loci, mutational signatures, and gene-environment interactions that shape disease susceptibility across populations. Integrating multi-ethnic, multi-omics data is crucial for developing personalized strategies for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, addressing disparities in ESCC outcomes. Ethnic genomic differences in ESCC reveal distinct genetic risk loci, mutational signatures, and gene-environment interactions that shape disease susceptibility across populations. Integrating multi-ethnic, multi-omics data is crucial for developing personalized strategies for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, addressing disparities in ESCC outcomes.
