The growth of primary low-grade B-cell gastric lymphoma is sustained by Helicobacter pylori.
BACKGROUND
The growth of primary low-grade B-cell gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is an antigen-dependent process


METHODS
We were able to document the influence of Helicobacter pylori on the natural history of primary low-grade B-cell gastric MALT lymphoma in a case investigated by means of polymerase chain reaction for IgH rearrangement. In this case the presence or absence of the bacterium appeared to affect both clinical manifestations and histologic features of the neoplasia, with an acceleration or a slowing down of the neoplastic expansion, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
We identified H. pylori as an antigenic stimulus that supports the growth of MALT-type lymphoma. This finding enables us to make some considerations about the management of the disease.
Cammarota
G
G
Catholic University, Dept. of Internal Medicine, Policlinico A. Gemelli, Rome, Italy.
Tursi
A
A
Papa
A
A
Voso
M T
MT
Serra
F
F
Chiusolo
P
P
Fedeli
G
G
Gasbarrini
G
G
D000368:Aged; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D018442:Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013270:Stomach / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial