Latest insights into the effects of Helicobacter pylori infection on gastric carcinogenesis.
There appears to be the strong association between Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) and gastric cancer. We reviewed the latest evidences about the effects of H pylori infection on gastric carcinogenesis, classified into epidemiology, dynamics of gastric mucosal changes, DNA damages, virulence factors, host factors, and source of gastric malignancy. Through the considerable progress made in research into virulence factors resulting from differences between H pylori strains, such as cagA positivity, as well as into host factors, such as gene polymorphisms, a diverse spectrum of H pylori-associated diseases, including gastric cancer, is beginning to lend itself to elucidation. The impact of the novel hypothesis advanced by Houghton et al proposing bone-marrow derived stem cells (BMDC) as a potential source of gastric malignancy on evolving research remains to be seen with interest. Further progress in research into H pylori eradication as a viable prophylaxis of gastric cancer, as well as into the mechanisms of gastric carcinogenesis, is to be eagerly awaited for the current year and beyond.
Murakami
Kazunari
K
Department of Gastroenterology, Oita University Faculty of Medicine, 1-1 Idaigaoka, Hasama, Oita 879-5593, Japan. murakam@med.oita-u.ac.jp
Kodama
Masaaki
M
Fujioka
Toshio
T
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004249:DNA Damage; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006801:Humans; D034982:Integration Host Factors; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D037521:Virulence Factors
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D034982:Integration Host Factors; D037521:Virulence Factors