Non-Invasive Markers for the Detection of Gastric Precancerous Conditions

Abstract

Gastric cancer (GC) is still one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide, with a high mortality rate, despite improvements in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. To diminish the GC burden, a modification of the current diagnostic paradigm, and especially endoscopic diagnosis of symptomatic individuals, is necessary. In this review article, we present a broad review and the current knowledge status on serum biomarkers, including pepsinogens, gastrin, Gastropanel^®, autoantibodies, and novel biomarkers, allowing us to estimate the risk of gastric precancerous conditions (GPC)-atrophic gastritis and gastric intestinal metaplasia. The aim of the article is to emphasize the role of non-invasive testing in GC prevention. This comprehensive review describes the pathophysiological background of investigated biomarkers, their status and performance based on available data, as well as their clinical applicability. We point out future perspectives of non-invasive testing and possible new biomarkers opportunities.

Keywords: chronic atrophic gastritis; gastric cancer; gastric intestinal metaplasia; gastric precancerous conditions; pepsinogen.

Figure 1

Distribution of different types of gastric precancerous conditions in the stomach. Helicobacter pylori-related gastritis affects the gastric antrum and eventually spreads to the corpus, causing pangastritis (on the left). Autoimmune gastritis affects the gastric corpus and fundus, causing mucosal atrophy that spares the antrum (on the right). The image was created with BioRender.com.