Review: Gastric malignancies – Microbes, biomarkers and molecular mechanisms

Abstract

Gastric carcinoma is a very common and lethal cancer, posing a serious burden worldwide. The exact contribution of microbial risk factors for this malignancy remains to be fully understood, impairing the implementation of effective preventive strategies. In addition, insufficient knowledge of Helicobacter pylori-mediated gastric carcinogenesis mechanisms, absence of screening programs based on accurate biomarkers, and lack of efficient therapeutics contribute to persistent high mortality rates. This past year has witnessed the emergence of new findings on the role of microorganisms in the development of gastric cancer, on potential anti-H. pylori vaccines, and on novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. Experimental and clinical data provided further insights into the molecular programs activated in gastric cancer, offering alternative targets for therapeutic interventions and patient stratification. This article provides an overview of the research highlights related to these topics published from April 2022 to March 2023.

Keywords

• gastric cancer
• helicobacter pylori
• microbiota
• epstein-barr virus
• cancer signaling
• cancer therapy.