The role of gastric microbiota in gastric cancer

Gut Microbes. 2020 Sep 2;11(5):1220-1230. doi: 10.1080/19490976.2020.1762520. Epub 2020 May 23.

Abstract

Gastric cancer represents one of the leading causes of cancer deaths worldwide. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is the strongest risk factor associated with gastric cancer. Due to new molecular techniques allowing greater identification of stomach microbes, investigators are beginning to examine the role that bacteria other than H. pylori play in gastric cancer development. Recently, researchers have investigated how the composition of the gastric microbiota varies among individuals with various stages of gastric disease. Specific microbes residing in the stomach have been preferentially associated with gastric cancer patients compared to individuals with a healthy gastric mucosa. Studies conducted on the insulin-gastrin (INS-GAS) transgenic mouse model have provided additional insight into the association between the gastric microbiota and gastric cancer. The purpose of this article is to review the current state of literature on the relationship between the gastric microbiota and gastric cancer based on clinical studies performed to date.

Keywords: Microbiome; gastric cancer; microbiome diversity; specific microbes; stomach cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacteria / growth & development*
  • Bacteria / isolation & purification
  • Bacteria / metabolism*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Disease Progression
  • Gastric Mucosa / microbiology
  • Gastric Mucosa / pathology
  • Gastritis / pathology
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome / physiology*
  • Helicobacter Infections / microbiology
  • Helicobacter pylori / isolation & purification
  • Helicobacter pylori / physiology
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Stomach / microbiology*
  • Stomach Neoplasms / etiology
  • Stomach Neoplasms / microbiology*
  • Stomach Neoplasms / pathology