Editorial
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World J Gastroenterol. Jan 14, 2006; 12(2): 181-186
Published online Jan 14, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i2.181
Causal role of Helicobacter pylori infection in gastric cancer
Takafumi Ando, Yasuyuki Goto, Osamu Maeda, Osamu Watanabe, Kazuhiro Ishiguro, Hidemi Goto
Takafumi Ando, Yasuyuki Goto, Osamu Maeda, Osamu Watanabe, Kazuhiro Ishiguro, Hidemi Goto Department of Gastroenterology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
Correspondence to: Dr Takafumi Ando, Department of Gastroenterology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan. takafumia-gi@umin.ac.jp
Telephone: +81-52-744-2144 Fax: +81-52-744-2175
Received: July 26, 2005
Revised: July 28, 2005
Accepted: August 25, 2005
Published online: January 14, 2006
Abstract

Gastric cancer is the second most frequent cancer in the world, accounting for a large proportion of all cancer cases in Asia, Latin America, and some countries in Europe. Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) is regarded as playing a specific role in the development of atrophic gastritis, which represents the most recognized pathway in multistep intestinal-type gastric carcinogenesis. Recent studies suggest that a combination of host genetic factors, bacterial virulence factors, and environmental and lifestyle factors determine the severity of gastric damage and the eventual clinical outcome of H pylori infection. The seminal discovery of H pylori as the leading cause of gastric cancer should lead to effective eradication strategies. Prevention of gastric cancer requires better screening strategies to identify candidates for eradication.

Keywords: Gastric cancer; Host genetic factors; H pylori; Bacterial virulence factors.