Gastric Cancer: Advances in Carcinogenesis Research and New Therapeutic Strategies

Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Mar 26;22(7):3418. doi: 10.3390/ijms22073418.

Abstract

Gastric cancer's bad incidence, prognosis, cellular and molecular heterogeneity amongst others make this disease a major health issue worldwide. Understanding this affliction is a priority for proper patients' management and for the development of efficient therapeutical strategies. This review gives an overview of major scientific advances, made during the past 5-years, to improve the comprehension of gastric adenocarcinoma. A focus was made on the different actors of gastric carcinogenesis, including, Helicobacter pylori cancer stem cells, tumour microenvironment and microbiota. New and recent potential biomarkers were assessed as well as emerging therapeutical strategies involving cancer stem cells targeting as well as immunotherapy. Finally, recent experimental models to study this highly complex disease were discussed, highlighting the importance of gastric cancer understanding in the hard-fought struggle against cancer relapse, metastasis and bad prognosis.

Keywords: EMT; Helicobacter pylori; biomarkers; cancer stem cell; microbiota; microenvironment; stomach cancer.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Carcinogenesis*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Helicobacter Infections / complications
  • Helicobacter pylori
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy
  • Liquid Biopsy
  • Mice
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / pathology
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / cytology
  • Prognosis
  • Recurrence
  • Risk Factors
  • Stomach Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Stomach Neoplasms / microbiology
  • Tumor Microenvironment

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Biomarkers, Tumor