Gastric Cancer Biomarkers and Helicobacter Pylori Dynamics

Gastric cancer remains a leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide, driven in large part by chronic infection with Helicobacter pylori and the ensuing cascade of mucosal injury, atrophy and intestinal metaplasia. Biomarkers that reliably indicate early neoplastic change or high‐risk precancerous states are essential for targeted screening, prognostication and personalised therapy. Serological markers such as pepsinogen I, pepsinogen II and gastrin 17 reflect gastric glandular function and atrophy, while panels of autoantibodies and cytokine profiles capture host inflammatory responses. Advances in molecular profiling—from single‐nucleotide polymorphisms in genes regulating inflammation to circulating microRNAs—offer deeper insight into individual susceptibility and tumour biology. The dynamic interplay between H. pylori virulence factors, host genetics and environmental exposures shapes not only the trajectory of gastritis and carcinogenesis but also the performance of biomarker assays. Integrating serological, genetic and microbiological data into risk algorithms holds promise for refining surveillance intervals, guiding eradication strategies and ultimately reducing the global gastric cancer burden.

Research from Nature Portfolio

A novel risk‐prediction model for gastroduodenal ulceration has been developed using a nomogram that combines seven variables, including positive Helicobacter pylori antibody status, pepsinogen I concentration, red and white blood cell counts, serum globulin and albumin levels, and male sex. This scoring tool demonstrates high discrimination in identifying individuals at elevated risk of ulceration, underscoring the utility of integrated serological profiling in managing H. pylori‐associated gastric pathology. In parallel, a century‐spanning systematic review and meta‐regression of Japanese birth cohorts has elucidated a clear decline in H. pylori prevalence from those born in 1910 to those born in 2000, revealing a strong birth‐cohort effect. These findings provide foundational epidemiological evidence that shifts in infection dynamics contribute substantially to patterns in gastric cancer incidence and mortality, and they reinforce the importance of continued population surveillance and eradication efforts.

Gastric Cancer Biomarkers and Helicobacter Pylori Dynamics publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in gastric cancer biomarkers and helicobacter pylori dynamics across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Pepsinogen I (PGI): A zymogen produced by chief cells; its serum concentration decreases with corpus gland loss and is used to detect mucosal atrophy.

Pepsinogen II (PGII): A precursor secreted by pyloric and fundic mucosa; the PGI/PGII ratio serves as an index of atrophic change.

Gastrin 17 (G17): A peptide hormone from antral G cells that regulates acid secretion; elevated levels indicate reduced acid feedback and atrophic gastritis.

Atrophic gastritis: Chronic inflammation resulting in loss of gastric glandular cells and replacement by fibrous tissue; a recognised precancerous lesion.

Nomogram: A graphical tool integrating multiple predictors to generate personalised risk estimates for clinical decision‐making.

Helicobacter pylori seropositivity: The presence of circulating antibodies against H. pylori, indicating current or past infection and associated mucosal changes.

References

1. Assessing peptic ulcer risk with the HAMPROW score in the general Chinese population. Scientific Reports (2024).
2. Changing trends in the prevalence of H. pylori infection in Japan (1908–2003): a systematic review and meta-regression analysis of 170,752 individuals. Scientific Reports (2017).
3. Non-Invasive Markers for the Detection of Gastric Precancerous Conditions. Cancers (2024).
4. The C/C Genotype of rs1231760 in RGS2 Is a Risk Factor for the Progression of H. pylori-Positive Atrophic Gastritis by Increasing RGS2 Expression. Diagnostics (2024).
5. Investigation of the prevalence and risk factors of Helicobacter pylori infection and the value of different gastric cancer screening methods in a low-risk region of gastric cancer in China. Annals of Medicine (2023).