Study Finds Link Between Gastric Bacteria and Stomach Cancer Development

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): A new study has uncovered how gastric bacteria play a significant role in the development of stomach cancer, which has limited treatment options and poor survival rates. The research, led by scientists from the University of Birmingham, found a crucial interaction between Helicobacter pylori and non-H. pylori bacteria during the pre-cancerous stage of gastric cancer.

Published in the journal Helicobacter, the study could pave the way for more effective treatments for pre-cancerous conditions. "We are excited about the potential of this observation to open a new avenue of research in the prevention of stomach cancer," said Dr. Amanda Rossiter-Pearson from the University of Birmingham. "It is possible that a simple antibiotic treatment could be administered to treat these bacteria. However, there is a lot more work to do."

Dr. Rossiter-Pearson emphasized the need to "determine the identity of these bacteria and understand how their presence in the precancerous condition impacts the patient's risk of developing stomach cancer."

Gastric cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, with Helicobacter pylori infection being the primary risk factor for the disease. While the infection is asymptomatic for most people, only 1% of these infections progress to gastric cancer, the reason for which has remained unclear.

The research team employed the latest imaging technologies to trace bacterial locations. They discovered that while H. pylori colonized gastric glands, non-*H. pylori* bacteria leaked through the stomach lining in a pre-cancerous condition known as gastric intestinal metaplasia. These findings suggest that bacterial leakage into deeper gastric tissues may play a previously overlooked role in cancer progression.

The study also highlighted that early detection of H. pylori allows for its eradication through antibiotics, which can reduce the risk of developing gastric cancer. However, once pre-cancerous changes take place, antibiotic treatment becomes ineffective, emphasizing the urgent need for alternative interventions to prevent further progression to cancer.