Researchers may have uncovered insights into the role of bacteria in the development of gastric cancer, according to a novel study published by Giddings et al in Helicobacter. The findings could pave the way for a more effective precancer treatment option.
Background
Gastric cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related mortality across the world. Infections with Helicobacter pylori bacteria—while asymptomatic in most individuals—has long been known to be the primary risk factor for the development of gastric cancer. However, why just 1% of infections progress to gastric cancer is not yet fully understood.
If detected early, H pylori can be eradicated with antibiotics, thereby reducing the patient’s risk of developing gastric cancer. Nonetheless, once precancerous changes develop, antibiotic treatment against H pylori becomes ineffective, underscoring the urgent need for alternative interventions.
Although prior research has suggested that the gastric microbiome may play a role in the development of cancer, these studies have lacked data as to where the bacteria localize within the stomach.
Study Methods and Results
In the study, the researchers used the most up-to-date imaging technology to pinpoint the location of bacteria.
The researchers identified a crucial interaction between H pylori bacteria and non–H pylori bacteria in the precancerous stage of gastric cancer. They observed that while H pylori exclusively colonized gastric glands, non–H pylori bacteria leaked through the gastric lining in the precancerous condition known as gastric intestinal metaplasia.
Conclusions
“We are excited about the potential of this observation to open a new avenue of research in the prevention of [gastric] cancer. It is possible that a simple antibiotic treatment could be administered to treat these bacteria. However, there is a lot more work to do,” stressed senior study author Amanda Rossiter-Pearson, BSc, PhD, of the University of Birmingham. “We must first determine the identity of these bacteria and understand how the presence of these bacteria in the precancerous condition impacts on the patient’s risk of developing [gastric] cancer,” she added.
The findings indicated that bacterial leakage into deeper gastric tissues may represent a previously overlooked factor in gastric cancer progression. The breakthrough could also explain why only a minority of H pylori infections lead to gastric cancer and could lead to the development of innovative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
“[Gastric] cancer has limited treatment options and poor survival rates. Better approaches are needed to find it earlier and offer treatment when it is more likely to be successful,” detailed Talisia Quallo, PhD, Research Programme Manager at Cancer Research UK. “This research is showing us that the most common type of bacteria linked to [gastric] cancer, H pylori, may work alongside other bacteria to drive a precursor condition to [gastric] cancer. Much more research is needed to understand how this interaction works, and what could be done to stop it, but from this research we can explore new ways to detect who will go on to develop [gastric] cancer,” she concluded.
Disclosure: The research in this study was funded by the Royal Society and Cancer Research UK. For full disclosures of the study authors, visit onlinelibrary.wiley.com.
