Molecular Mechanism of Helicobacter pylori-Induced Gastric Cancer

Bee Pollen as a Source of Biopharmaceuticals for Neurodegeneration and Cancer Research: A Scoping Review and Translational Prospects

Bee Pollen (BP) has many advantageous properties relying on its multitargeting potential, a new tendency in managing many challenging illnesses. In cancer and neurodegeneration, the multiple effects of BP could be of unequaled importance and need further investigation. Although still limited, available data interestingly spotlights some floral sources with promising activities in line with this investigation. Adopting scoping review methodology, we have identified many crucial bioactivities that are widely recognized to individual BP compounds but remain completely untapped in this valuable bee cocktail. A wide range of these compounds have been recently found to be endowed with great potential in modulating pivotal processes in neurodegeneration and cancer pathophysiology. In addition, some ubiquitous BP compounds have only been recently isolated, while the number of studied BPs remains extremely limited compared to the endless pool of plant species worldwide. We have also elucidated that clinical profits from these promising perspectives are still impeded by challenging hurdles such as limited bioavailability of the studied phytocompounds, diversity and lack of phytochemical standardization of BP, and the difficulty of selective targeting in some pathophysiological mechanisms. We finally present interesting insights to guide future research and pave the way for urgently needed and simplified clinical investigations.

The activation of SYNJ2/GRB2 axis accelerates the malignant metastasis and angiogenesis of gastric cancer cells

In gastric cancer (GC), tumor cell metastasis to lymph node may occur, and can be impacted by synaptojanin 2 (SYNJ2). Herein, we explored the mechanism of SYNJ2 in the progress of GC. SYNJ2 level in GC tissues was predicted by GEPIA database. After GC cells were transfected with short hairpin RNA against SYNJ2 (shSYNJ2), shGRB2, SYNJ2 overexpression plasmid and growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (GRB2) overexpression plasmid, the mRNA levels of SYNJ2 and GRB2 in GC cells were quantified by qRT-PCR. CCK-8, flow cytometry, wound healing, transwell and tube formation assays were performed for detecting viability, apoptosis, migration, invasion and angiogenesis of GC cells. Protein levels of GRB2, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), E-Cadherin, N-Cadherin and Vimentin in GC cells were measured by Western blot. The relationship between SYNJ2 and GRB2 was assessed by Co-immunoprecipitation (CO-IP) assay. SYNJ2 was highly expressed in GC tissues and cells. SYNJ2 overexpression promoted viability, migration, invasion, angiogenesis and GRB2 level, and inhibited apoptosis of GC cells, while shSYNJ2 exhibited opposite effects. GRB2 overexpression boosted yet shGRB2 suppressed cell migration, invasion and angiogenesis. Notably, SYNJ2 could interact with GRB2. GRB2 overexpression and shGRB2 reversed the effects of shSYNJ2 and overexpressed SYNJ2 on cell migration, invasion and angiogenesis and levels of metastasis-related proteins, respectively. In conclusion, SYNJ2 promotes GC cell metastasis and angiogenesis by up-regulating GRB2.

Hibiscus sabdariffa as a Novel Alternative Strategy Against Helicobacter pylori Infection Development to Gastric Cancer

Most gastric cancers (95%) are related to an initial Helicobacter pylori infection worldwide. Treatments against this pathogen include a mix of antibiotics, antimicrobials, and proton-pump inhibitors. Over time, H. pylori mutated, generating resistance to treatments and making it hard to combat its infection. The purpose of this review is Hibiscus sabdariffa, commonly known as hibiscus, as a potential agent for anti-H. pylori activity. Scientific interest has increased toward plant-derived bioactive compounds, which have the ability to enhance the antibiotic effect and can lead to the development of new drugs, such is the case for H. sabdariffa. In general, studies show that natural products, such as plant-derived bioactive compounds, can be used as alternative treatments from natural origin against the pathogen. The specific action mechanism of these bioactive compounds is still controversial, but it is suggested that they have an anti-inflammatory effect, and they also act as antibiotic coadjutants. Research has been conducted regarding different bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, epicatechins, alkaloids, and caryophyllenes. H. sabdariffa contains several of these compounds; therefore, more studies are needed to establish its effect against H. pylori.

α‑Fetoprotein‑positive hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the stomach and a new classification: A case report

α-Fetoprotein (AFP)-producing gastric carcinoma (AFPGC) is a rare subtype of gastric cancer (GC) with controversial classification methods. Hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the stomach (HAS) is another rare subtype of GC. Its definition intersects with that of AFPGC, but it is much rarer. The present report describes the case of an elderly patient with GC and AFPGC and HAS features in a serum test and pathology, respectively, and proposes a new classification of GC subtypes based on histological and AFP-producing features. A 75-year-old woman presented with a history of polydipsia and polyuria for over a decade and dizziness for 1 day. Serum AFP levels gradually elevated from 183.70 to 397.70 ng/ml in 1 month after the patient's first clinic visit. Subsequent pathological findings from endoscopic biopsy samples confirmed a hepatoid focus with positive immunohistochemical staining for AFP. The patient underwent a laparoscopic-assisted radical total gastrectomy and esophagojejunal Roux-en-Y anastomosis, and the serum AFP levels decreased to the normal range after the surgery. The present case indicates the diagnostic value of both the serum AFP level and pathological examinations in the diagnosis of AFPGC and HAS, and also highlights the contemporary circumstances of the vague classification based on different criteria for these two subtypes. Furthermore, the present report proposes a new classification considering both histological and AFP-producing features (using both serum biomarkers and immunohistochemistry tests) to cover all cases encompassed by AFPGC and HAS under all definition methods. This new method would give more precise diagnoses and add value to the subsequent treatment decision-making.

Epstein-Barr Virus and gastric carcinoma pathogenesis with emphasis on underlying epigenetic mechanisms

Gastric cancer (GC) remains one of the top causes of cancer-related mortality around the world. The pathogenesis of GC is attributed to lifestyle, family history, genetic mutations, epigenetic alterations, as well as infectious agents such as Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV). EBV, a ubiquitous human gamma herpes virus, with latent asymptomatic infection in more than 95% of the world's population, is able to infect through the oral epithelium. EBV is described as the first virus found in human neoplastic, when it was detected in Burkitt lymphoma tumor biopsy. Nowadays this virus is considered to be involved in various human malignancies such as GC. Despite comprehensive efforts and immense studies, the main underlying mechanism is not well described as there are crucial contradictions regarding the presence of this virus and the prognosis of the disease. Immunological alterations, genetic mutations, and epigenetic modifications are among the most important criteria presented in EBV- associated gastric cancer (EBVaGC), leading to its consideration as a separate subtype with unique clinical, histological, biochemical, and genetic characteristics. The current study aimed to review the association between EBV and GC with an emphasis on the role of epigenetic modifications in the suppression or progression of carcinogenesis. To put all findings in a nutshell, several genes and chromatin mutations, promoter hypermethylation and subsequent silencing of related genes, and histone modifications and aberrant micro RNAs (miRNAs) expression were considered as the major altered mechanisms in the pathogenesis of EBVaGC, most of which able to be suggested as therapeutic targets. However, the current knowledge appeared to be imperfect, hence further studies are encouraged.

Biogenic Nanoparticles as Safer Alternatives for Gastric Ulcers: An Update on Green Synthesis Methods, Toxicity, and Their Efficacy in Controlling Inflammation

Peptic ulcers, affecting approximately 10% of the global population, can result from factors such as stress, alcohol use, smoking, NSAIDs, Helicobacter pylori infection, and genetic predisposition. Plant-based medicines are gaining recognition for their therapeutic potential, including in the treatment of peptic ulcers. Green chemistry methods for the biological synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) provide a sustainable alternative to traditional chemical techniques. These nanoparticles, particularly metallic NPs and metal oxides synthesized from plant extracts, offer promising anti-ulcer properties. This review highlights research from 2000 to 2024 on the use of green-synthesized nanoparticles and their role in peptic ulcer treatment, focusing on their therapeutic mechanisms and potential benefits. For this purpose, an electronic search of published research and review articles was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Cochrane databases, and Google Scholar.

Withania somnifera extract reduces gastric cancerous properties through inhibition of gankyrin in cellular milieu produced by Helicobacter pylori and Epstein Barr virus

Helicobacter pylori and Epstein Barr virus (EBV) are group1 carcinogens and their role in Gastric cancer (GC) is well established. Previously we have shown that H. pylori and EBV appears to support aggressive gastric oncogenesis through the upregulation of oncoprotein Gankyrin. Natural plant active molecules have the potential to interrupt oncogenesis. Herein, we investigated the potential of Withania somnifera root extract (WSE) as a possible chemotherapeutic agent against host oncoprotein Gankyrin whose expression was altered by H. pylori and EBV-associated modified cellular milieu. The results show that WSE does not have any inhibitory effect on H. pylori and EBV-associated gene transcripts except for the lmps (lmp1, lmp2a, and lmp2B). Moreover, the WSE exert their anticancer activity via host cellular response and decreased the expression of cell-migratory (mmp3 and mmp7); cell-cycle regulator (pcna); antiapoptotic gene (bcl2); increased the expression of the proapoptotic gene (apaf1 and bax); and tumor suppressor (p53, prb, and pten). Knockdown of Gankyrin followed by the treatment of WSE also decreases the expression of TNF-ɑ, Akt, and elevated the expression of NFkB, PARP, Casp3, and Casp9. WSE also reduces cell migration, and genomic instability and forced the cells to commit programmed cell death. Moreover, molecular simulation studies revealed that out of eight active compounds of WSE, only four compounds such as withaferin A (WFA), withanoside IV (WA4), withanolide B (WNB), and withanolide D (WND) showed direct stable interaction with Gankyrin. This article reports for the first time that treatment of WSE decreased the cancerous properties through host cellular response modulation in gastric epithelial cells coinfected with H. pylori and EBV.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Helicobacter Pylori Infection as the Predominant High-Risk Factor for Gastric Cancer Recurrence Post-Gastrectomy: An 8-Year Multicenter Retrospective Study

Purpose

The reappearance of gastric cancer, a frequent postoperative complication following radical gastric cancer surgery, substantially impacts the near-term and far-reaching medical outlook of patients. The objective of this research was to create a machine learning algorithm that could recognize high-risk factors for gastric cancer recurrence and anticipate the correlation between gastric cancer recurrence and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection.

Patients and Methods

This investigation comprised 1234 patients diagnosed with gastric cancer, and 37 characteristic variables were obtained. Four machine learning algorithms, namely, extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), random forest (RF), k-nearest neighbor algorithm (KNN), and multilayer perceptron (MLP), were implemented to develop the models. The k-fold cross-validation technique was utilized to perform internal validation of the four models, while independent datasets were employed for external validation of the models.

Results

In contrast to the other machine learning models, the XGBoost algorithm demonstrated superior predictive ability regarding high-risk factors for gastric cancer recurrence. The outcomes of Shapley additive explanation (SHAP) analysis revealed that tumor invasion depth, tumor lymph node metastasis, H. pylori infection, postoperative carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), tumor size, and tumor number were risk elements for gastric cancer recurrence in patients, with H. pylori infection being the primary high-risk factor.

Conclusion

Out of the four machine learning models, the XGBoost algorithm exhibited superior performance in predicting the recurrence of gastric cancer. In addition, machine learning models can help clinicians identify key prognostic factors that are clinically meaningful for the application of personalized patient monitoring and immunotherapy.

Long-term Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with an increased risk of carotid plaque formation: a retrospective cohort study

Background

Cardiovascular disease significantly impacts human health. The development of carotid plaques elevates the risk of cardiovascular disease, while the influence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) on carotid plaques remains a subject of debate. This study aimed to investigate the association between H. pylori infection and carotid plaque using a cohort study.

Methods

The study included individuals who underwent multiple physical examinations at the Health Examination Center of Taizhou Hospital. The relationship between H. pylori and carotid plaque was explored using multifactorial logistic regression analysis. Participants were categorized into groups based on their H. pylori infection status at the initial and final examinations, comprising persistent infection, persistent negative, new infection, and eradication infection, to analyze variations in carotid plaque prevalence among these groups.

Results

In both univariate and multifactorial regression analyses, H. pylori was identified as a risk factor for carotid plaque development. Moreover, when compared to the persistent negative group, both the new infection and persistent infection groups showed a notable increase in the risk of carotid plaque. Additionally, individuals in the persistent infection group exhibited higher blood pressure and blood glucose levels than those in the persistent negative group. Likewise, there was a discrepancy in the impact of insulin resistance on carotid plaque between the H. pylori positive and negative groups.

Conclusion

H. pylori is a risk factor for carotid plaque, with a long-term infection associated with an increased risk of carotid plaque formation. In addition, H. pylori promoting carotid plaque formation may be related to blood pressure, blood glucose, and insulin resistance.

Gastrointestinal cancer resistance to treatment: the role of microbiota

The most common illnesses that adversely influence human health globally are gastrointestinal malignancies. The prevalence of gastrointestinal cancers (GICs) is relatively high, and the majority of patients receive ineffective care since they are discovered at an advanced stage of the disease. A major component of the human body is thought to be the microbiota of the gastrointestinal tract and the genes that make up the microbiome. The gut microbiota includes more than 3000 diverse species and billions of microbes. Each of them has benefits and drawbacks and been demonstrated to alter anticancer medication efficacy. Treatment of GIC with the help of the gut bacteria is effective while changes in the gut microbiome which is linked to resistance immunotherapy or chemotherapy. Despite significant studies and findings in this field, more research on the interactions between microbiota and response to treatment in GIC are needed to help researchers provide more effective therapeutic strategies with fewer treatment complication. In this review, we examine the effect of the human microbiota on anti-cancer management, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy.

Risk of Esophageal and Gastric Cancer in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Receiving Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1 RAs): A National Analysis

INTRODUCTION

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are becoming more popular in managing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Concerns linger over potential links to malignancies like pancreatic and thyroid cancers, requiring more research to clarify their safety profiles. Additionally, evidence suggests GLP-1 RAs may lower colorectal and pancreatic cancer risk, especially in obese and overweight individuals, indicating a protective effect beyond weight loss. Current studies leave a gap in comprehensively understanding cancer risks associated with GLP-1 RAs, which prompts further research to enhance our understanding of their overall safety.

METHODS

We queried the US Collaborative Network (63 health care organizations) of the TriNetX research database. Patients with T2DM were identified and divided into two cohorts: patients on GLP-1 RAs and patients not on GLP-1 RAs. We excluded tobacco use and alcohol use disorders, obese patients with a body mass index (BMI) of >25 kg/m2, and those with a family history of gastrointestinal malignancy, infectious mononucleosis, chronic gastritis, pernicious anemia, helicobacter pylori infection, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). We used a 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) model using patients' baseline characteristics, medications, labs, and genetics. We compared the rate of gastric cancer and esophageal cancer at the seven-year mark.

RESULTS

A total of 2,748,431 patients with T2DM were identified. Of those, 6% (n = 167,077) were on a GLP-1 RA and 94% (n = 2,581,354) were not on a GLP-1 RA. After PSM, both cohorts included 146,277 patients. Patients with T2DM who were on a GLP-1 RA, compared to those who were not, had a statistically significant lower risk of both gastric cancer (0.05% vs. 0.13%, p < 0.0001) and esophageal cancer (0.04% vs. 0.13%, p < 0.0001) at the seven-year mark.

CONCLUSION

The use of GLP-1 RAs in patients with T2DM does not significantly increase the risk of gastric or esophageal cancer. This finding supports the continued use of GLP-1 analogues as a therapeutic option in managing T2DM, considering their well-established benefits and low risk of complications. Based on the study results, these medications may even have a protective effect against these malignancies.

Novel Drug-like HsrA Inhibitors Exhibit Potent Narrow-Spectrum Antimicrobial Activities against Helicobacter pylori

Helicobacter pylori infection constitutes a silent pandemic of global concern. In the last decades, the alarming increase in multidrug resistance evolved by this pathogen has led to a marked drop in the eradication rates of traditional therapies worldwide. By using a high-throughput screening strategy, in combination with in vitro DNA binding assays and antibacterial activity testing, we identified a battery of novel drug-like HsrA inhibitors with MIC values ranging from 0.031 to 4 mg/L against several antibiotic-resistant strains of H. pylori, and minor effects against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive species of human microbiota. The most potent anti-H. pylori candidate demonstrated a high therapeutic index, an additive effect in combination with metronidazole and clarithromycin as well as a strong antimicrobial action against Campylobacter jejuni, another clinically relevant pathogen of phylum Campylobacterota. Transcriptomic analysis suggests that the in vivo inhibition of HsrA triggers lethal global disturbances in H. pylori physiology including the arrest of protein biosynthesis, malfunction of respiratory chain, detriment in ATP generation, and oxidative stress. The novel drug-like HsrA inhibitors described here constitute valuable candidates to a new family of narrow-spectrum antibiotics that allow overcoming the current resistome, protecting from dysbiosis, and increasing therapeutic options for novel personalized treatments against H. pylori.

Association between Helicobacter pylori and its eradication and the development of cancer

BACKGROUND

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a gram-negative gastrointestinal pathogen that colonises the human stomach and is considered a major risk factor for gastric cancer and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. Furthermore, H. pylori is a potential trigger of a wide spectrum of extragastric cancer entities, extraintestinal chronic inflammatory processes and autoimmune diseases. In the present study, we evaluated the association between H. pylori infection and its eradication with the development of subsequent gastrointestinal and non-gastrointestinal cancer.

METHODS

We identified 25 317 individuals with and 25 317 matched individuals without a diagnosis of H. pylori from the Disease Analyzer database (IQVIA). A subsequent cancer diagnosis was analysed using Kaplan-Meier and conditional Cox-regression analysis as a function of H. pylori and its eradication.

RESULTS

After 10 years of follow-up, 12.8% of the H. pylori cohort and 11.8% of the non-H. pylori cohort were diagnosed with cancer (p=0.002). Results were confirmed in regression analysis (HR: 1.11; 95% CI 1.04 to 1.18). Moreover, a non-eradicated H. pylori status (HR: 1.18; 95% CI 1.07 to 1.30) but not an eradicated H. pylori status (HR: 1.06; 95% CI 0.97 to 1.15) was associated with a subsequent diagnosis of cancer. In subgroup analyses, H. pylori eradication was negatively associated with bronchus and lung cancer (HR: 0.60; 95% CI 0.44 to 0.83).

CONCLUSION

Our data from a large outpatient cohort in Germany reveal a distinct association between H. pylori infection and the subsequent development of cancer. These data might help to identify patients at risk and support eradication strategies in the future.

Circular RNAs and the JAK/STAT pathway: New frontiers in cancer therapeutics

Circular RNAs, known as circRNAs, have drawn more attention to cancer biology in the last few years. Novel functions of circRNAs in cancer therapy open promising prospects for personalized medicine. This review focuses on the molecular properties and potential of circRNAs as biomarkers or therapeutic targets in cancer treatment. Unique properties of circular RNAs associated with a circular form provide stability and resilience to RNA exonuclease degradation. Circular RNAs' most important characteristic is that they are involved in the JAK/STAT pathway associated with oncogenesis. Notably, their deregulation has been reported in multiple carcinomas due to involvement in JAK/STAT signaling cascade modulation. Increased knowledge about circRNAs' interaction with the JAK/STAT pathway leads to the emergence of new possibilities for targeted cancer therapy. In addition, since circRNAs demonstrate tissue-relatedness of expression, they may be a reliable biomarker for predicting and diagnosing cancer. With the development of new technologies for targeting circRNAs, novel therapeutics can be produced that offer more personalized cancer treatment options based on the nature of the patient. The present review explores the exciting prospects of circRNAs for transforming cancer treatment into personalized medicine. It describes the current understanding of circRNA biology, its relationship to tumorigenesis, and possible targeting methods.

The role of periodontitis in cancer development, with a focus on oral cancers

Periodontitis is a severe gum infection that begins as gingivitis and can lead to gum recession, bone loss, and tooth loss if left untreated. It is primarily caused by bacterial infection, which triggers inflammation and the formation of periodontal pockets. Notably, periodontitis is associated with systemic health issues and has been linked to heart disease, diabetes, respiratory diseases, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and cancers. Accordingly, the presence of chronic inflammation and immune system dysregulation in individuals with periodontitis significantly contributes to the initiation and progression of various cancers, particularly oral cancers. These processes promote genetic mutations, impair DNA repair mechanisms, and create a tumor-supportive environment. Moreover, the bacteria associated with periodontitis produce harmful byproducts and toxins that directly damage the DNA within oral cells, exacerbating cancer development. In addition, chronic inflammation not only stimulates cell proliferation but also inhibits apoptosis, causes DNA damage, and triggers the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Collectively, these factors play a crucial role in the progression of cancer in individuals affected by periodontitis. Further, specific viral and bacterial agents, such as hepatitis B and C viruses, human papillomavirus (HPV), Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), and Porphyromonas gingivalis, contribute to cancer development through distinct mechanisms. Bacterial infections have systemic implications for cancer development, while viral infections provoke immune and inflammatory responses that can lead to genetic mutations. This review will elucidate the link between periodontitis and cancers, particularly oral cancers, exploring their underlying mechanisms to provide insights for future research and treatment advancements.

Inflammation-Related Gene ADH1A Regulates the Polarization of Macrophage M1 and Influences the Malignant Progression of Gastric Cancer

Background

Gastric cancer (GC) is a malignant tumor originating from the gastric mucosa epithelium, and there is a low survival rate of GC patients after treatment, with a poor prognostic outcome. The inflammatory response within the tumor microenvironment plays an important role in GC progression.

Methods

We downloaded GC-related datasets and inflammation-related genes from GEO, TCGA and MSigDB databases, performed differential analysis, protein-protein interaction analysis, immunoinfiltration analysis and Lasso analysis to screen inflammation-related hub genes affecting GC progression, and carried out qRT-PCR for validation. In order to explore the role of ADH1A, we constructed overexpressed plasmids, treated GC cells with cGMP/PKG pathway agonist 8-Br-cGMP, and tested cell functions with CCK8, EdU, Transwell, scratch assay and other experiments. On this basis, GC cells were co-cultured with monocyte THP-1 to explore the effect of ADH1A on the polarization of macrophages.

Results

ADH1A was significantly decreased in GC cells, and its expression trend was consistent with the results of bioinformatics analysis. Therefore, we chose ADH1A for subsequent functional validation. Overexpression of ADH1A in GC cells revealed ADH1A's role in inhibiting the activity, proliferation, migration and invasion of GC cells, promoting apoptosis and secretion of IL-6, IFN-γ, CCL5 and CSF2, and facilitating the transformation of macrophages to a pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype. ssGSEA results demonstrated the potential involvement of ADH1A in the cGMP/PKG signaling pathway, and significant changes in the expression of proteins related to the cGMP/PKG signaling pathway. The use of the cGMP/PKG signaling pathway agonist 8-Br-cGMP in ADH1A-overexpressing GC cells substantiated ADH1A's capacity to inhibit the cGMP/PKG signaling pathway, thereby suppressing the malignant progression of GC and promoting the transformation of macrophages to a pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype.

Conclusion

ADH1A is able to influence the malignant progression of GC and the transformation of macrophages to the pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype through the cGMP/PKG signaling pathway.

Point Mutations in Furazolidone and Rifampicin Resistance Genes in Helicobacter pylori Strains from Colombia

The eradication of Helicobacter pylori is a valid strategy for preventing gastric cancer; however, the therapeutic failure of first-line treatments in Colombia is associated with high resistance to metronidazole and amoxicillin. This study explored alternative antibiotics and analyzed point mutations in resistance genes to furazolidone and rifampicin in order to include them in rescue therapy regimens. A total of 239 complete genomes of Helicobacter pylori Colombian strains were compared to that of the ATCC 26695 strain to identify mutations in the rpoB and porD genes for rifampicin and furazolidinone resistance, respectively. While rifampicin resistance mutations were not found, only 0.84% of the isolates showed the porD gene, suggesting that Helicobacter pylori is sensitive to these antibiotics. A phylogenomic analysis of Helicobacter pylori revealed an independent lineage in Colombia (hspColombia). The absence of point mutations in the rpoB gene, together with the scarce mutations identified in the porD gene of Helicobacter pylori, suggest that the hspColombia isolates are sensitive to rifampicin and furazolidone, which could be key to including these antibiotics in the rescue therapies against Helicobacter pylori.

The immunopathogenesis of Helicobacter pylori-induced gastric cancer: a narrative review

Helicobacter pylori infection is a well-established risk factor for the development of gastric cancer (GC). Understanding the immunopathogenesis underlying this association is crucial for developing effective preventive and therapeutic strategies. This narrative review comprehensively explores the immunopathogenesis of H. pylori-induced GC by delving into several key aspects, emphasizing the pivotal roles played by H. pylori virulence factors, including cytotoxin-associated gene A (cagA) and vacuolating cytotoxin A (vacA), blood group antigen-binding adhesin (babA), and sialic acid binding adhesin (sabA). Moreover, the review focuses on the role of toll-like receptors (TLRs) and cytokines in the complex interplay between chronic infection and gastric carcinogenesis. Finally, the study examines the association between H. pylori evasion of the innate and adaptive immune response and development of GC. A comprehensive understanding of the immunopathogenesis of H. pylori-induced GC is essential for designing targeted interventions to prevent and manage this disease. Further research is warranted to elucidate the intricate immune responses involved and identify potential therapeutic targets to improve patient outcomes.

Clinical analysis of the effect of helicobacter pylori infection on immune function in children with peptic ulcer

Objective

To study whether children with peptic ulcer would have abnormalities in cellular and humoral immune functions, and whether Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection would affect the immune function of children with peptic ulcer.

Methods

This is a retrospective study. The subjects of study were 72 children with diagnosed and cured peptic ulcer (ulcer group), and 50 healthy children with physical examination (control group) at Baoding Hospital, Beijing Children's Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from June 2020 to December 2022. Further detection was conducted on T lymphocyte subsets (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD4+/CD8+ ratio) and immunoglobulin levels.

Results

Of the 72 children with peptic ulcer, 53(73.6%) were positive for Hp (Hp-positive group) and 19 (26.4%) were negative (Hp-negative group). The levels of CD3+, CD4+, and CD4+/CD8+ ratio in the control group were significantly higher than those in the ulcer group, with statistically significant difference (P<0.05); while the level of IgG in the control group was lower than that in the ulcer group, with statistically significant difference (P<0.05). Meanwhile, there were statistically significant differences in that the levels of CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ were increased in Hp-positive group than those in Hp-negative group before treatment (P<0.05); while CD4+/CD8+ ratio was lower in the former group than that in the latter group, with statistically significant difference (P<0.05).

Conclusion

Hp infection can induce the elevation of T lymphocyte subsets. The development of peptic ulcer has an intimate association with the disorder of cellular and humoral immune functions.

Helicobacter pylori infection induces POU5F1 upregulation and SPP1 activation to promote chemoresistance and T cell inactivation in gastric cancer cells

Infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori or Hp) is associated with an increased susceptibility to gastric diseases, notably gastric cancer (GC). This study investigates the impact of Hp infection on chemoresistance and immune activity in GC cells. Hp infection in AGS and MKN-74 cells promoted proliferation, migration and invasion, apoptosis resistance, and tumorigenic activity of cells under cisplatin (DDP) plus gemcitabine (GEM) treatment. Additionally, it dampened activity of the co-cultured CD8+ T cells. Hp infection increased POU class 5 homeobox 1 (POU5F1) level, which further activated secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1) transcription to increase its expression. Silencing of either SPP1 or POU5F1 enhanced the GEM sensitivity in GC cells, and it increased the populations of CD8+ T cells and the secretion of immune-active cytokines both in vitro and in xenograft tumors in immunocompetent mice. However, the effects of POU5F1 silencing were counteracted by SPP1 overexpression. Furthermore, the POU5F1/SPP1 axis activated the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. This study demonstrates that Hp infection induces POU5F1 upregulation and SPP1 activation, leading to increased DDP/GEM resistance and T cell inactivation in GC cells.

Animal Models of Helicobacter pylori Infection and Vaccines: Current Status and Future Prospects

Helicobacter pylori infection causes chronic gastritis, ulcers, and gastric cancer, making it a threat to human health. Despite the use of antibiotic therapy, the global prevalence of H. pylori infection remains high, necessitating early eradication measures. Immunotherapy, especially vaccine development, is a promising solution in this direction, albeit the selection of an appropriate animal model is critical in efficient vaccine production. Accordingly, we conducted a literature, search and summarized the commonly used H. pylori strains, H. pylori infection-related animal models, and models for evaluating H. pylori vaccines. Based on factors such as the ability to replicate human diseases, strain compatibility, vaccine types, and eliciting of immune responses, we systematically compared the advantages and disadvantages of different animal models, to obtain the informed recommendations. In addition, we have proposed novel perspectives on H. pylori-related animal models to advance research and vaccine evaluation for the prevention and treatment of diseases such as gastric cancer.

Implications of silver nanoparticles for H. pylori infection: modulation of CagA function and signaling

Background

Helicobacter pylori infection poses a significant health burden worldwide, and its virulence factor CagA plays a pivotal role in its pathogenesis.

Methods

In this study, the interaction between H. pylori-infected AGS cells and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was investigated, with a focus on the modulation of CagA-mediated responses, investigated by western blotting. Both, the dose-dependent efficacy against H. pylori (growth curves, CFU assay) and the impact of the nanoparticles on AGS cells (MTT assay) were elucidated.

Results

AGS cells infected with H. pylori displayed dramatic morphological changes, characterized by elongation and a migratory phenotype, attributed to CagA activity. Preincubation of H. pylori with AgNPs affected these morphological changes in a concentration-dependent manner, suggesting a correlation between AgNPs concentration and CagA function.

Conclusion

Our study highlights the nuanced interplay between host-pathogen interactions and the therapeutic potential of AgNPs in combating H. pylori infection and offers valuable insights into the multifaceted dynamics of CagA mediated responses.

A prominent role of LncRNA H19 in H. pylori CagA induced DNA damage response and cell malignancy

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), together with its CagA, has been implicated in causing DNA damage, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and the development of gastric cancer. Although lncRNA H19 is abundantly expressed in gastric cancer and functions as a pro-oncogene, it remains unclear whether lncRNA H19 contributes to the oncogenic process of H. pylori CagA. This study investigates the role of H19 in the DNA damage response and malignancy induced by H. pylori. It was observed that cells infected with CagA+ H. pylori strain (GZ7/cagA) showed significantly higher H19 expression, resulting in increased γH2A.X and p-ATM expression and decreased p53 and Rad51 expression. Faster cell migration and invasion was also observed, which was reversed by H19 knockdown in H. pylori. YWHAZ was identified as an H19 target protein, and its expression was increased in H19 knockdown cells. GZ7/cagA infection responded to the increased YWHAZ expression induced by H19 knockdown. In addition, H19 knockdown stimulated cells to enter the G2-phase and attenuated the effect of GZ7/cagA infection on the cellular S-phase barrier. The results suggest that H. pylori CagA can upregulate H19 expression, participate in the DNA damage response and promote cell migration and invasion, and possibly affect cell cycle arrest via regulation of YWHAZ.

Mutations in Helicobacter pylori infected patients with chronic gastritis, intestinal type of gastric cancer and familial gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Development of sequential changes of mucous leading to gastric cancer and familial cases of gastric cancer of intestinal type is widely connected with Helicobacter pylori infections. In this study we analysed variants of genes involved in cancerogenesis and inflammatory processes of intestines in patients infected with H.pylori. Our goal was to test whether mutations in these genes predestinate to development of gastric cancer, and whether there is a genetic factor that makes it more likely for infections with H.pylori to cause gastric cancer. As infections with H. pylori are relatively common, discovering such genetic predispositions could be used for establishing risk-groups and for planning treatments.

METHODS

Our studies cover analysis of variants in genes involved in cancerogenesis: TP53 (rs11540652, rs587782329, COSM10771), MSH2 (rs193922376), MLH1 (rs63750217), and inflammatory processes of intestine: NOD2 (rs2066847, rs2066842), IL1A (rs1800587) and IL1B (rs1143634) from H.pylori-infected patients.

RESULTS

Mutations were more common in the group of patients with gastric cancer of intestinal type and familial cases of gastric cancer in comparison with patients with chronic gastritis, chronic atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia or gastric cancer (p-value = 0.00824), with the prevalence of p53 mutations in patients with familial gastric cancer vs. patients with other changes of mucosa (p-value = 0.000049). Additionally, gastric cancer patients have mainly genotype TT or CT of the rs2066842 variant of the NOD2 gene.

CONCLUSIONS

The lack of statistically significant changes of other interleukin genes involved in inflammatory processes may suggest the presence of H.pylori infection as a potential trigger for the development of the inflammatory process of the mucosa, leading through microbiota dysbiosis to the development of enteric gastric cancer. Mutations in analysed genes correlated with more severe mucosal changes, with a much more frequent presence of TP53 gene mutations, with a limited presence of other mutations in the familial history of gastric cancer.

Interaction of microbiota, mucosal malignancies, and immunotherapy-Mechanistic insights

The microbiome has emerged as a crucial modulator of host-immune interactions and clearly impacts tumor development and therapy efficacy. The microbiome is a double-edged sword in cancer development and therapy as both pro-tumorigenic and anti-tumorigenic bacterial taxa have been identified. The staggering number of association-based studies in various tumor types has led to an enormous amount of data that makes it difficult to identify bacteria that promote tumor development or modulate therapy efficacy from bystander bacteria. Here we aim to comprehensively summarize the current knowledge of microbiome-host immunity interactions and cancer therapy in various mucosal tissues to find commonalities and thus identify potential functionally relevant bacterial taxa. Moreover, we also review recent studies identifying specific bacteria and mechanisms through which the microbiome modulates cancer development and therapy efficacy.

An Immunoinformatic Approach to Designing a Multi-epitope Vaccine against Helicobacter pylori with the VacA Toxin and BabA Adhesion

Objective:

Helicobacter pylori, as a carcinogen, has been related to the development of gastric cancer, particularly in developing countries. The main challenge with therapy is the recurrence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and vaccination is still a problem. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to rationally design a multi-epitope vaccine using two immunogenic proteins found in H. pylori.

Methods:

Promising epitopes for the Leb-binding adhesin A (BabA) and vacuolating cytotoxin (VacA) proteins were characterized through an immunoinformatics approach. Epitope-rich fragments were selected based on high-binding affinities with HLA classes I and II to be specifically presented to B and T lymphocytes and to selectively elicit both humoral and cellular immune responses.

Results:

Six constructs were planned by fusing these fragments in different arrangements with the help of GPGPG linkers. The most stable three-dimensional structure was found in Construct 6 during molecular dynamics. To improve immunogenicity and stability, an adjuvant called human β- defensin 2 (hBD-2) was joined to the N-terminus of Construct 6. Following molecular docking, the final vaccine reacted appropriately with each toll-like receptor 2 (TLR-2), TLR3, and TLR-4. The final DNA sequence was optimized for expression in E. coli K12 and in silico cloned into a pET-28a(+) plasmid. As a result of the vaccination in silico, substantial responses were developed against H. pylori.

Conclusion:

According to the immune response simulation, activated B and T lymphocytes and memory cell production increased. Macrophages and dendritic cells proliferated continuously, and IFN-γ and Cytokines, such as IL-2 were raised.

Dysregulation of autophagy in gastric carcinoma: Pathways to tumor progression and resistance to therapy

The considerable death rates and lack of symptoms in early stages of gastric cancer (GC) make it a major health problem worldwide. One of the most prominent risk factors is infection with Helicobacter pylori. Many biological processes, including those linked with cell death, are disrupted in GC. The cellular "self-digestion" mechanism necessary for regular balance maintenance, autophagy, is at the center of this disturbance. Misregulation of autophagy, however, plays a role in the development of GC. In this review, we will examine how autophagy interacts with other cell death processes, such as apoptosis and ferroptosis, and how it affects the progression of GC. In addition to wonderful its role in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, it is engaged in GC metastasis. The role of autophagy in GC in promoting drug resistance stands out. There is growing interest in modulating autophagy for GC treatment, with research focusing on natural compounds, small-molecule inhibitors, and nanoparticles. These approaches could lead to breakthroughs in GC therapy, offering new hope in the fight against this challenging disease.

Helicobacter pylori infection induces gastric cancer cell malignancy by targeting HOXA-AS2/miR-509-3p/MMD2 axis

BACKGROUND

Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection is considered to be the strongest risk factor for gastric cancer (GC). Long non-coding RNA HOXA cluster antisense RNA 2 (HOXA-AS2) has been indicated to be significantly related to Hp infection in GC patients.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the detailed role and molecular mechanism of lncRNA HOXA-AS2 in Hp-induced GC.

METHODS

GC cells were treated with Hp filtrate for cell infection. Bioinformatics tools were utilized for survival analysis and prediction of HOXA-AS2 downstream molecules. Western blotting and RT-qPCR were utilized for assessing protein and RNA levels, respectively. Flow cytometry, colony formation and CCK-8 assays were implemented for testing HOXA-AS2 functions in Hp-infected GC cells. HOXA-AS2 localization in cells was determined by subcellular fractionation assay. The relationship between RNAs were measured by luciferase reporter assay.

RESULTS

Hp infection induced HOXA-AS2 upregulation in GC cells. Knocking down HOXA-AS2 restrained cell proliferation but promoted cell apoptosis with Hp infection. HOXA-AS2 bound to miR-509-3p, and miR-509-3p targeted monocyte to macrophage differentiation associated 2 (MMD2). Overexpressing MMD2 reversed HOXA-AS2 depletion-mediated suppression on cell aggressiveness with Hp infection.

CONCLUSION

Hp infection induces the aggressiveness of GC cells by regulating HOXA-AS2/miR-509-3p/MMD2 axis.

Predictive model using four ferroptosis-related genes accurately predicts gastric cancer prognosis

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer (GC) is a common malignancy of the digestive system. According to global 2018 cancer data, GC has the fifth-highest incidence and the third-highest fatality rate among malignant tumors. More than 60% of GC are linked to infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a gram-negative, active, microaerophilic, and helical bacterium. This parasite induces GC by producing toxic factors, such as cytotoxin-related gene A, vacuolar cytotoxin A, and outer membrane proteins. Ferroptosis, or iron-dependent programmed cell death, has been linked to GC, although there has been little research on the link between H. pylori infection-related GC and ferroptosis.

AIM

To identify coregulated differentially expressed genes among ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) in GC patients and develop a ferroptosis-related prognostic model with discrimination ability.

METHODS

Gene expression profiles of GC patients and those with H. pylori-associated GC were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. The FRGs were acquired from the FerrDb database. A ferroptosis-related gene prognostic index (FRGPI) was created using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator-Cox regression. The predictive ability of the FRGPI was validated in the GEO cohort. Finally, we verified the expression of the hub genes and the activity of the ferroptosis inducer FIN56 in GC cell lines and tissues.

RESULTS

Four hub genes were identified (NOX4, MTCH1, GABARAPL2, and SLC2A3) and shown to accurately predict GC and H. pylori-associated GC. The FRGPI based on the hub genes could independently predict GC patient survival; GC patients in the high-risk group had considerably worse overall survival than did those in the low-risk group. The FRGPI was a significant predictor of GC prognosis and was strongly correlated with disease progression. Moreover, the gene expression levels of common immune checkpoint proteins dramatically increased in the high-risk subgroup of the FRGPI cohort. The hub genes were also confirmed to be highly overexpressed in GC cell lines and tissues and were found to be primarily localized at the cell membrane. The ferroptosis inducer FIN56 inhibited GC cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSION

In this study, we developed a predictive model based on four FRGs that can accurately predict the prognosis of GC patients and the efficacy of immunotherapy in this population.

NOX4 regulates gastric cancer cell invasion and proliferation by increasing ferroptosis sensitivity through regulating ROS

OBJECTIVE

We assessed NOX4 expression in gastric cancer (GC), its prognostic significance, and underlying mechanisms, focusing on promoting ferroptosis through increased ROS production.

METHODS

We evaluated NOX4 expression in GC tissues via immunohistochemistry and analyzed correlations with clinicopathological characteristics using TCGA and clinical data. Impacts of manipulating NOX4 levels on GC cell invasiveness, proliferation, and sensitivity to ferroptosis inducers were investigated.

RESULTS

Significantly higher NOX4 expression in GC tissues versus normal adjacent tissues correlated with decreased overall survival and increased tumor aggressiveness. NOX4 was an independent predictor of poor prognosis. Functionally, NOX4 manipulation influenced ROS levels, with overexpression enhancing production. Inhibition of NOX4 or application of antioxidants reduced cancer cell invasion and proliferation. Importantly, NOX4-overexpressing cells showed increased sensitivity to ferroptosis inducers, indicating synergistic effects between NOX4 and ferroptosis in suppressing GC progression.

CONCLUSION

Our findings highlight NOX4's potential as a therapeutic target in GC, where modulation can enhance efficacy of ferroptosis-inducing treatments, offering a promising strategy for combating this malignancy.

Analyzing the expression and clinical significance of CENPE in gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer (GC) is a prevalent type of malignant gastrointestinal tumor. Many studies have shown that CENPE acts as an oncogene in some cancers. However, its expression level and clinical value in GC are not clear.

METHODS

Obtaining clinical data information on gastric adenocarcinoma from TCGA and GEO databases. The gene expression profiling interaction analysis (GEPIA) was used to evaluate the relationship between prognosis and CENPE expression in gastric cancer patients. Utilizing the UALCAN platform, the correlation between CENPE expression and clinical parameters was examined. Functions and signaling pathways of CENPE were analyzed using the Gene Ontology (GO), the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA). The association between immunological infiltrating cells and CENPE expression was examined using TIMER2.0. Validation was performed by real-time quantitative PCR (qPT-PCR) and immunohistochemical analysis.

RESULTS

According to the analysis of the GEPIA database, the expression of CENPE is increased in gastric cancer tissues compared to normal tissues. It was also found to have an important relationship with the prognosis of the patient (p<0.05). The prognosis was worse and overall survival was lower in individuals with increased expression of CENPE. In line with the findings of the GEPIA, real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qPT-PCR) confirmed that CENPE was overexpressed in gastric cancer cells. Furthermore, It was discovered that H. pylori infection status and tumor grade were related to CENPE expression. Enrichment analysis revealed that CENPE expression was linked to multiple biological functions and tumor-associated pathways. CENPE expression also correlated with immune-infiltrating cells in the gastric cancer microenvironment and was positively connected to NK cells and mast cells. According to immunohistochemical examination, paracancerous tissues had minimal expression of CENPE, but gastric cancer showed significant expression of the protein.

CONCLUSIONS

According to our findings, CENPE is substantially expressed in GC and may perhaps contribute to its growth. CENPE might be a target for gastric cancer therapy and a predictor of a bad prognosis.

The role of gut microbiota and probiotics in preventing, treating, and boosting the immune system in colorectal cancer

The gut microbiome plays a significant role in developing colorectal cancer (CRC). The gut microbiome usually acts as a protective barrier against harmful pathogens and infections in the intestine, while also regulating inflammation by affecting the human immune system. The gut microbiota and probiotics play a role not only in intestinal inflammation associated with tumor formation but also in regulating anti-cancer immune response. As a result, they associated with tumor progression and the effectiveness of anti-cancer therapies. Research indicates that gut microbiota and probiotics can be used as biomarkers to predict the impact of immunotherapy and enhance its efficacy in treating CRC by regulating it. This review examines the importance of gut microbiota and probiotics in the development and progression of CRC, as well as their synergistic impact on anti-cancer treatments.

Application of artificial intelligence in gastrointestinal endoscopy

Endoscopy is an important method for diagnosing gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. In this study, we provide an overview of the advances in artificial intelligence (AI) technology in the field of GI endoscopy over recent years, including esophagus, stomach, large intestine, and capsule endoscopy (small intestine). AI-assisted endoscopy shows high accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity in the detection and diagnosis of GI diseases at all levels. Hence, AI will make a breakthrough in the field of GI endoscopy in the near future. However, AI technology currently has some limitations and is still in the preclinical stages.

Molecular Mechanisms and Treatment Strategies for Helicobacter pylori-Induced Gastric Carcinogenesis and Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue (MALT) Lymphoma

Helicobacter pylori has been classified as a class I carcinogen by WHO because of its primary involvement in the development of gastric cancer and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. This review focuses on understanding the molecular pathophysiological mechanisms that operate within intracellular transduction pathways and their relevance in the treatment strategies for the two main diseases caused by H. pylori. H. pylori virulence factors such as cytotoxin-associated gene A and vacuolating cytotoxin A genotypes, inflammatory mediators, H. pylori-induced microRNA deregulation, alterations in autophagy proteins and regulators, and changes in DNA methylation are some of the molecular mechanisms that play essential roles in H. pylori infection and gastric carcinogenesis. The discovery of novel treatment strategies that target the deregulated intracellular transduction pathways in gastric carcinogenesis and MALT lymphoma is critical. H. pylori eradication (HPE) is not limited to H. pylori-dependent low-grade MALT lymphoma and may be used in patients with high-grade diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) (de novo or DLBCL-MALT lymphoma). The loss of H. pylori dependency and high-grade transformation appear to be distinct events in the progression of gastric lymphoma. Interestingly, patients with H. pylori-positive gastric DLBCL without histological evidence of MALT lymphoma (pure gastric DLBCL) may respond to HPE therapy.

Relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and colorectal polyp/colorectal cancer

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) plays an important role in the development of gastric cancer, although its association to colorectal polyp (CP) or colorectal cancer (CRC) is unknown. In this issue of World Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zhang et al investigated the risk factors for H. pylori infection after colon polyp resection. Importantly, the researchers used R software to create a prediction model for H. pylori infection based on their findings. This editorial gives an overview of the association between H. pylori and CP/CRC, including the clinical significance of H. pylori as an independent risk factor for CP/CRC, the underlying processes of H. pylori-associated carcinogenesis, and the possible risk factors and identification of H. pylori.

Therapeutic bacteria and viruses to combat cancer: double-edged sword in cancer therapy: new insights for future

Cancer, ranked as the second leading cause of mortality worldwide, leads to the death of approximately seven million people annually, establishing itself as one of the most significant health challenges globally. The discovery and identification of new anti-cancer drugs that kill or inactivate cancer cells without harming normal and healthy cells and reduce adverse effects on the immune system is a potential challenge in medicine and a fundamental goal in Many studies. Therapeutic bacteria and viruses have become a dual-faceted instrument in cancer therapy. They provide a promising avenue for cancer treatment, but at the same time, they also create significant obstacles and complications that contribute to cancer growth and development. This review article explores the role of bacteria and viruses in cancer treatment, examining their potential benefits and drawbacks. By amalgamating established knowledge and perspectives, this review offers an in-depth examination of the present research landscape within this domain and identifies avenues for future investigation.

Change in Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori Infection in the Treatment-Failure Era

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a prevalent global health issue, associated with several gastrointestinal disorders, including gastritis, peptic ulcers, and gastric cancer. The landscape of H. pylori treatment has evolved over the years, with increasing challenges due to antibiotic resistance and treatment failure. Traditional diagnostic methods, such as the urea breath test, stool antigen test, and endoscopy with biopsy, are commonly used in clinical practice. However, the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains has led to a decline in treatment efficacy, necessitating a re-evaluation of common diagnostic tools. This narrative review aims to explore the possible changes in the diagnostic approach of H. pylori infection in the era of treatment failure. Molecular techniques, including polymerase chain reaction and whole genome sequencing, which have high sensitivity and specificity, allow the detection of genes associated with antibiotic resistance. On the other hand, culture isolation and a phenotypic antibiogram could be used in the diagnostic routine, although H. pylori is a fastidious bacterium. However, new molecular approaches are promising tools for detecting the pathogen and its resistance genes. In this regard, more real-life studies are needed to reveal new diagnostic tools suitable for identifying multidrug-resistant H. pylori strains and for outlining proper treatment.

Global status and trends of gastric cancer and gastric microbiota research: a bibliometric analysis

Background

Numerous studies have cast light on the relationship between the gastric microbiota and gastric carcinogenesis. In this study, we conducted a bibliometric analysis of the relevant literature in the field of gastric cancer and the gastric microbiota and clarified its research status, hotspots, and development trends.

Materials and methods

Publications were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection on 18 July 2023. CiteSpace 6.2.R4, VOSviewer 1.6.19.0, and Biblioshiny were used for the co-occurrence and cooperation analyses of countries, institutions, authors, references, and keywords. A keyword cluster analysis and an emergence analysis were performed, and relevant knowledge maps were drawn.

Results

The number of published papers in this field totaled 215 and showed an increasing trend. The analysis of funding suggested that the input in this field is increasing steadily. China had the highest number of publications, while the United States had the highest betweenness centrality. Baylor College of Medicine published the most articles cumulatively. Both Ferreira RM and Cooker OO had the highest citation frequency. The journal Helicobacter showed the most interest in this field, while Gut provided a substantial research foundation. A total of 280 keywords were obtained using CiteSpace, which were primarily focused on the eradication and pathogenic mechanisms of Helicobacter pylori, as well as the application of the gastric microbiota in the evaluation and treatment of gastric cancer. The burst analysis suggested that in the future, research may focus on the application of gastric microorganisms, particularly Fusobacterium nucleatum, in the diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer, along with their pathogenic mechanisms.

Conclusion

Current studies have been tracking the eradication of Helicobacter pylori and its pathogenic mechanisms, as well as changes in the gastric microbiota during gastric carcinogenesis. Future research may focus on the clinical application and pathogenesis of stomach microorganisms through bacteria such as Fusobacterium nucleatum.

Association between rosacea and helicobacter pylori infection: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The potential association between rosacea and a heightened prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection has been previously suggested. However, existing studies offer inconsistent results. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to elucidate the relationship between rosacea and HP infection.

METHODS

We conducted comprehensive searches of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases to identify relevant observational studies for our investigation. We utilized the random-effects model to aggregate the data to address the potential influence of heterogeneity among the studies on the outcome.

RESULTS

Our analysis incorporated twenty-five datasets from 23 case-control and cross-sectional studies, encompassing 51,054 rosacea patients and 4,709,074 controls without skin disease. The pooled results revealed a significantly higher prevalence of HP infection in individuals with rosacea compared to controls (odds ratio [OR]: 1.51, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.17-1.95, p<0.001; I2 = 79%). Subgroup analysis indicated an increased prevalence of HP infection in rosacea studies that utilized one (OR: 1.72, 95% CI: 1.11-2.66, p = 0.02; I2 = 76%) or more tests for HP infection (OR: 2.26, 95% CI: 1.29-3.98, p = 0.005; I2 = 56%). However, this association was not observed in population-based studies that determined HP infection based on prescription records for HP eradication drugs (OR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.76-1.07, p = 0.024; I2 = 54%).

CONCLUSION

Rosacea may be significantly associated with a higher prevalence of HP infection. High-quality prospective studies with delicately controlled confounding factors are needed to determine if HP infection is a risk factor for rosacea.

SPR and Double Resonance LPG Biosensors for Helicobacter pylori BabA Antigen Detection

Given the medical and social significance of Helicobacter pylori infection, timely and reliable diagnosis of the disease is required. The traditional invasive and non-invasive conventional diagnostic techniques have several limitations. Recently, opportunities for new diagnostic methods have appeared based on the recent advance in the study of H. pylori outer membrane proteins and their identified receptors. In the present study we assess the way in which outer membrane protein-cell receptor reactions are applicable in establishing a reliable diagnosis. Herein, as well as in other previous studies of ours, we explore the reliability of the binding reaction between the best characterized H. pylori adhesin BabA and its receptor, the blood antigen Leb. For the purpose we developed surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and double resonance long period grating (DR LPG) biosensors based on the BabA-Leb binding reaction for diagnosing H. pylori infection. In SPR detection, the sensitivity was estimated at 3000 CFU/mL-a much higher sensitivity than that of the RUT test. The DR LPG biosensor proved to be superior in terms of accuracy and sensitivity-concentrations as low as 102 CFU/mL were detected.

Oral immunotherapy for Helicobacter pylori: Can it be trusted? A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a rod-shaped, gram-negative, microaerophilic bacterium that can be identified by gram staining. Its relationship with cancer is significant since it is involved in approximately 80% of gastric cancers and 5.5% of all malignant cancers. Two lines of treatment have been defined for H. pylori, but almost 40% of patients do not respond to the first line. Recent trials have investigated oral Immunotherapy as a new treatment method. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the potential effects of oral Immunotherapy on eradication rate of H. pylori in human studies.

METHODS

The systematic review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. We searched online databases, including Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science (ISI). Our search strategy was limited to English articles and studies on human populations that use oral immunotherapy for H. pylori.

RESULTS

The total number of primary research records in different databases was 2775. After removing duplicate articles (n = 870), we excluded 1829 for reasons including non-human studies, irrelevance to our study objective, non-English language, or lack of information. Of the remaining 76 articles, only seven had sufficient information, and the rest were excluded. The studies were divided into two groups: those that used bovine antibody and those that used immunoglobulin Y to eradicate H. pylori.

CONCLUSION

In the group of Immunoglobulin Y, three out of four studies suggest that using Immunoglobulin Y for the treatment of H. pylori infection is significant. However, the group using bovine antibody for the treatment of H. pylori infection has various results, as two out of three studies concluded that bovine antibody therapy is not significant.

Antagonizing roles of SHP1 in the pathogenesis of Helicobacter pylori infection

BACKGROUND

SHP1 has been documented as a tumor suppressor and it was thought to play an antagonistic role in the pathogenesis of Helicobacter pylori infection. In this study, the exact mechanism of this antagonistic action was studied.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

AGS, MGC803, and GES-1 cells were infected with H. pylori, intracellular distribution changes of SHP1 were first detected by immunofluorescence. SHP1 overexpression and knockdown were then constructed in these cells to investigate its antagonistic roles in H. pylori infection. Migration and invasion of infected cells were detected by transwell assay, secretion of IL-8 was examined via ELISA, the cells with hummingbird-like alteration were determined by microexamination, and activation of JAK2/STAT3, PI3K/Akt, and ERK pathways were detected by immunoblotting. Mice infection model was established and gastric pathological changes were evaluated. Finally, the SHP1 activator sorafenib was used to analyze the attenuating effect of SHP1 activation on H. pylori pathogenesis in vitro and in vivo.

RESULTS

The sub-localization of SHP1 changed after H. pylori infection, specifically that the majority of the cytoplasmic SHP1 was transferred to the cell membrane. SHP1 inhibited H. pylori-induced activation of JAK2/STAT3 pathway, PI3K/Akt pathway, nuclear translocation of NF-κB, and then reduced EMT, migration, invasion, and IL-8 secretion. In addition, SHP1 inhibited the formation of CagA-SHP2 complex by dephosphorylating phosphorylated CagA, reduced ERK phosphorylation and the formation of CagA-dependent hummingbird-like cells. In the mice infection model, gastric pathological changes were observed and increased IL-8 secretion, indicators of cell proliferation and EMT progression were also detected. By activating SHP1 with sorafenib, a significant curative effect against H. pylori infection was obtained in vitro and in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

SHP1 plays an antagonistic role in H. pylori pathogenesis by inhibiting JAK2/STAT3 and PI3K/Akt pathways, NF-κB nuclear translocation, and CagA phosphorylation, thereby reducing cell EMT, migration, invasion, IL-8 secretion, and hummingbird-like changes.

LncRNA DLEU2 contributes to Taxol resistance of gastric cancer cells through regulating the miR-30c-5p-LDHA axis

Gastric cancer (GC) is a human malignancy which is associated with high mortality rate and poor prognosis. In addition to surgery, chemo- and radio-therapies are effective strategies against GC at advanced or metastatic stage. Taxol is a traditionally anti-cancer drug which is applied to various types of cancer. However, development of drug resistance limited the anti-cancer effects of Taxol. Currently, the biological roles and mechanisms of non-coding RNA DLEU2 in Taxol resistant GC remain unclear. This study reported that DLEU2 was significantly upregulated and miR-30c-5p was remarkedly downregulated in gastric tumours and cell lines. Silencing DLEU2 or overexpression of miR-30c-5p effectively increased the Taxol sensitivity of GC cells. Through bioinformatics analysis, RNA pull-down and luciferase assay, we demonstrated that DLEU2 sponged miR-30c-5p to block its expression in GC cells. Moreover, from the established Taxol resistant GC cell line, we detected remarkedly upregulated DLEU2 and downregulated miR-30c-5p expressions and significantly elevated glucose metabolism. Under low glucose condition, Taxol resistant cells were more susceptible to Taxol. In addition, we showed overexpression of miR-30c-5p blocked glucose metabolism through inhibiting the LDHA, a glucose metabolism key enzyme by direct targeting the 3'UTR of LDHA. Finally, rescue experiments validated that restoration of miR-30c-5p in DLEU2-overexpressing Taxol resistant GC cells effectively overcame the DLEU2-promoted Taxol resistance. In summary, this study uncovered new roles and molecular mechanisms of the lncRNA DLEU2-promoted Taxol resistance of gastric cancer cells, presenting the DLEU2-miR-30c-5p-LDHA-glucose metabolism axis a potentially therapeutic target for treatment of Taxol resistant GC.

The role of microbiomes in gastrointestinal cancers: new insights

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers constitute more than 33% of new cancer cases worldwide and pose a considerable burden on public health. There exists a growing body of evidence that has systematically recorded an upward trajectory in GI malignancies within the last 5 to 10 years, thus presenting a formidable menace to the health of the human population. The perturbations in GI microbiota may have a noteworthy influence on the advancement of GI cancers; however, the precise mechanisms behind this association are still not comprehensively understood. Some bacteria have been observed to support cancer development, while others seem to provide a safeguard against it. Recent studies have indicated that alterations in the composition and abundance of microbiomes could be associated with the progression of various GI cancers, such as colorectal, gastric, hepatic, and esophageal cancers. Within this comprehensive analysis, we examine the significance of microbiomes, particularly those located in the intestines, in GI cancers. Furthermore, we explore the impact of microbiomes on various treatment modalities for GI cancer, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy. Additionally, we delve into the intricate mechanisms through which intestinal microbes influence the efficacy of GI cancer treatments.

Graded diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection using hyperspectral images of gastric juice

Helicobacter pylori is a potential underlying cause of many diseases. Although the Carbon 13 breath test is considered the gold standard for detection, it is high cost and low public accessibility in certain areas limit its widespread use. In this study, we sought to use machine learning and deep learning algorithm models to classify and diagnose H. pylori infection status. We used hyperspectral imaging system to gather gastric juice images and then retrieved spectral feature information between 400 and 1000 nm. Two different data processing methods were employed, resulting in the establishment of one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) datasets. In the binary classification task, the random forest model achieved a prediction accuracy of 83.27% when learning features from 1D data, with a specificity of 84.56% and a sensitivity of 92.31%. In the ternary classification task, the ResNet model learned from 2D data and achieved a classification accuracy of 91.48%.

Synergism of Fusobacterium periodonticum and N-nitrosamines promote the formation of EMT subtypes in ESCC by modulating Wnt3a palmitoylation

N-Nitrosamine disinfection by-products (NAs-DBPs) have been well proven for its role in esophageal carcinogenesis. However, the role of intratumoral microorganisms in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) has not yet been well explored in the context of exposure to NAs-DBPs. Here, the multi-omics integration reveals F. periodonticum (Fp) as "facilitators" is highly enriched in cancer tissues and promotes the epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT)-like subtype formation of ESCC. We demonstrate that Fp potently drives de novo synthesis of fatty acids, migration, invasion and EMT phenotype through its unique FadAL adhesin. However, N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine upregulates the transcription level of FadAL. Mechanistically, co-immunoprecipitation coupled to mass spectrometry shows that FadAL interacts with FLOT1. Furthermore, FLOT1 activates PI3K-AKT/FASN signaling pathway, leading to triglyceride and palmitic acid (PA) accumulation. Innovatively, the results from the acyl-biotin exchange demonstrate that FadAL-mediated PA accumulation enhances Wnt3A palmitoylation on a conserved cysteine residue, Cys-77, and promotes Wnt3A membrane localization and the translocation of β-catenin into the nucleus, further activating Wnt3A/β-catenin axis and inducing EMT phenotype. We therefore propose a "microbiota-cancer cell subpopulation" interaction model in the highly heterogeneous tumor microenvironment. This study unveils a mechanism by which Fp can drive ESCC and identifies FadAL as a potential diagnostic and therapeutic target for ESCC.

Toxocara Canis Increases the Potential of Breast Cancer by Reducing the Expression of the P53 Protein

INTRODUCTION

Breast cancer is considered the most frequent type of cancer in women with high mortality worldwide, and most importantly, it is the second most common cancer. However, some breast cancer-related risk factors remain unknown. So, the current study was designed to evaluate the effect of Toxocara canis on the biomarkers correlated with proliferation, apoptosis, inflammation, and angiogenesis in 4T1 tumor-bearing mice infected with Toxocara canis for the first time.

METHODS

Mice were categorized into four groups: A) control, B) treated with 4T1+ Toxocara canis, C) treated with Toxocara canis, and D) treated with 4T1. The expression of Ki-67 and P53 was then evaluated by using the immunohistochemical technique. In addition, the levels of transforming growth factor-β, Interferon gamma-γ, Interleukin 10, tumor necrosis factor-α and vascular endothelial growth factor as well as anti- Toxocara canis IgG were determined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method.

RESULTS

The expression of Ki-67 was significantly increased in the 4T1+ Toxocara canis group than control and Toxocara canis groups (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). Moreover, a significant decrease in P53 was found in the 4T1+ Toxocara canis group than in the control and Toxocara canis groups (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). Also, the 4T1+ Toxocara canis group significantly reduced the expression of P53 more than 4T1 tumor-bearing mice (P = 0.005). In addition, the 4T1+ Toxocara canis group had an increasing tumor necrosis factor-α and vascular endothelial growth factor than controls (P = 0.004 and P = 0.002, respectively). Furthermore, a significant reduction in Interleukin 10 was found in the 4T1+ Toxocara canis group than in the control group (P = 0.004).

CONCLUSION

Our findings showed that Toxocara canis could probably increase the potential of breast cancer by reducing P53 in 4T1 tumor-bearing mice infected with Toxocara canis more than other groups.

TLR9 gene polymorphism confers risk to Helicobacter pylori infection in Jiangsu, China and its inspiration for precision nursing car

BACKGROUND

The number of studies which investigate the association between TLR9 gene polymorphism and Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) infection is low and their results are not consistent.

OBJECTIVE

To get a better understanding of the association between TLR9 gene polymorphism and H.pylori infection, providing basis and risk assessment for precision nursing for hospital nurses.

METHODS

A total of 630 normal physical examination subjects were collected including 240 H.pylori (+) and 390 H.pylori (-) subjects. PCR-RFLP was applied to investigate the present polymorphism. At the same time, the meta-analysis was performed between TLR9 gene polymorphism and H.pylori infection risk.

RESULTS

Three genotypes (TT, TC, and CC) were observed for TLR9 gene rs187084 polymorphism. CC genotype and C allele were responsible for the significant associations (all P< 0.05). Meta-analysis found no significant associations were found by any genetic models (all P> 0.05).

CONCLUSION

TLR9 polymorphism has a crucial role in H.pylori infection risk and CC genotype confers increased risk to H.pylori infection in the Southern Chinese population. After understanding the influence of TLR9 gene polymorphism on H.pylori infection, nurses can improve the risk assessment of Helicobacter pylori infection and provide health education more personally.

A Mini-review on Helicobacter pylori with Gastric Cancer and Available Treatments

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the most thoroughly researched etiological component for stomach inflammation and malignancies. Even though there are conventional recommendations and treatment regimens for eradicating H. pylori, failure rates continue to climb. Antibiotic resistance contributes significantly to misdiagnoses, false positive results, and clinical failures, all of which raise the chance of infection recurrence. This review aims to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying drug resistance in H. pylori and discuss novel approaches for detecting genotypic resistance. Modulation of drug uptake/ efflux, biofilm, and coccoid development. Newer genome sequencing approaches capable of detecting H. pylori genotypic resistance are presented. Prolonged infection in the stomach causes major problems such as gastric cancer. The review discusses how H. pylori causes stomach cancer, recent biomarkers such as miRNAs, molecular pathways in the development of gastric cancer, and diagnostic methods and clinical trials for the disease. Efforts have been made to summarize the recent advancements made toward early diagnosis and novel therapeutic approaches for H. pylori-induced gastric cancer.

A review of Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 (GSK3) inhibitors for cancers therapies

The intricate molecular pathways governing cancer development and progression have spurred intensive investigations into novel therapeutic targets. Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 (GSK3), a complex serine/threonine kinase, has emerged as a key player with intricate roles in various cellular processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and metabolism. Harnessing GSK3 inhibitors as potential candidates for cancer therapy has garnered significant interest due to their ability to modulate key signalling pathways that drive oncogenesis. The review encompasses a thorough examination of the molecular mechanisms underlying GSK3's involvement in cancer progression, shedding light on its interaction with critical pathways such as Wnt/β-catenin, PI3K/AKT, and NF-κB. Through these interactions, GSK3 exerts influence over tumour growth, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis, rendering it an attractive target for therapeutic intervention. The discussion includes preclinical and clinical studies, showcasing the inhibitors efficacy across a spectrum of cancer types, including pancreatic, ovarian, lung, and other malignancies. Insights from recent studies highlight the potential synergistic effects of combining GSK3 inhibitors with conventional chemotherapeutic agents or targeted therapies, opening avenues for innovative combinatorial approaches. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of research surrounding GSK3 inhibitors as promising agents for cancer treatment.