Topic Highlight
Copyright ©2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Apr 28, 2014; 20(16): 4503-4515
Published online Apr 28, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i16.4503
Role of gene polymorphisms in gastric cancer and its precursor lesions: Current knowledge and perspectives in Latin American countries
Miguel Angel Chiurillo
Miguel Angel Chiurillo, Laboratorio de Genética Molecular “Dr. Jorge Yunis-Turbay”, Decanato de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Centroccidental Lisandro Alvarado, Barquisimeto 3001, Venezuela
Author contributions: Chiurillo MA designed and wrote the review.
Correspondence to: Miguel Angel Chiurillo, MD, PhD, Laboratorio de Genética Molecular “Dr. Jorge Yunis-Turbay”, Decanato de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Centroccidental Lisandro Alvarado, Barquisimeto 3001, Estado Lara, Venezuela. mchiurillo@ucla.edu.ve
Telephone: +58-251-2591985 Fax: +58-251-2591804
Received: October 29, 2013
Revised: January 23, 2014
Accepted: March 12, 2014
Published online: April 28, 2014
Processing time: 182 Days and 5.2 Hours
Core Tip

Core tip: This article is a review about the current state of art of studies carried out in Latin America using gene polymorphisms to assess gastric cancer susceptibility. Latin America shows one of the highest incidence rates of gastric cancer in the world, with variations in mortality rates among nations or even within countries belonging to this region. Moreover, Latin America is a region with a particular genetic background, high rates of Helicobacter pylori infection and lifestyles condition. This review also gives special emphasis on the importance of the studies conducted in gastric precancerous diseases.