Nature meets nurture: molecular genetics of gastric cancer

Abstract

The immensity of genes and molecules implicated in gastric carcinogenesis is overwhelming and the relevant importance of some of these molecules is too often unclear. This review serves to bring us up-to-date with the latest findings as well as to look at the larger picture in terms of how to tackle the problem of solving this multi-piece puzzle. In this review, the environmental nurturing of intestinal cancer is discussed, beginning with epidemiology (known causative factors for inducing molecular change), an update of H. pylori research, including the role of inflammation and stem cells in premalignant lesions. The role of E-cadherin in the nature (genotype) of diffuse gastric cancer is highlighted, and finally the ever growing discipline of SNP analysis (including IL1B) is discussed.

Fig. 1

In situ carcinoma, pagetoid spread of signet ring cells and early invasive signet ring carcinoma. a In situ signet ring cell carcinoma: gland with intact basement membrane lined by signet ring cells (arrow heads) (H&E, original magnification ×400); b pagetoid spread of signet ring cells below the preserved epithelium of one foveolae (arrow heads) (H&E, original magnification ×400); c early invasive signet ring cell carcinoma (eHDGC) (HE, original magnification ×400)