Gastric Cancer and Microbiota: Exploring the Microbiome’s Role in Carcinogenesis and Treatment Strategies

Gastric cancer (GC) remains a major global health burden, with high morbidity and mortality rates, particularly in regions with prevalent <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> (<i>H. pylori</i>) infection. While <i>H. pylori</i> has long been recognized as a primary carcinog...

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Main Authors: Daniela-Cornelia Lazăr, Sorin-Dan Chiriac, George-Andrei Drăghici, Elena-Alina Moacă, Alexandra Corina Faur, Mihaela-Flavia Avram, Vladiana-Romina Turi, Mihaela-Roxana Nicolin, Adrian Goldiș, Matin Asad Salehi, Radu Jipa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Life
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/7/999
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author Daniela-Cornelia Lazăr
Sorin-Dan Chiriac
George-Andrei Drăghici
Elena-Alina Moacă
Alexandra Corina Faur
Mihaela-Flavia Avram
Vladiana-Romina Turi
Mihaela-Roxana Nicolin
Adrian Goldiș
Matin Asad Salehi
Radu Jipa
author_facet Daniela-Cornelia Lazăr
Sorin-Dan Chiriac
George-Andrei Drăghici
Elena-Alina Moacă
Alexandra Corina Faur
Mihaela-Flavia Avram
Vladiana-Romina Turi
Mihaela-Roxana Nicolin
Adrian Goldiș
Matin Asad Salehi
Radu Jipa
author_sort Daniela-Cornelia Lazăr
collection DOAJ
description Gastric cancer (GC) remains a major global health burden, with high morbidity and mortality rates, particularly in regions with prevalent <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> (<i>H. pylori</i>) infection. While <i>H. pylori</i> has long been recognized as a primary carcinogenic agent, recent research has underscored the broader contribution of the gastric microbiota to gastric carcinogenesis. Alterations in the microbial community, or dysbiosis, contribute to chronic inflammation, immune modulation, and epithelial transformation through a range of mechanisms, including disruption of mucosal integrity, activation of oncogenic signaling pathways (e.g., PI3K/Akt, NF-κB, STAT3), and epigenetic alterations. Furthermore, microbial metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids, secondary bile acids, and lactate, play dual roles in either promoting or suppressing tumorigenesis. Oral and gut-derived microbes, translocated to the gastric niche, have been implicated in reshaping the gastric microenvironment and exacerbating disease progression. The composition of the microbiota also influences responses to cancer immunotherapy, suggesting that microbial profiles can serve as both prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Emerging strategies, such as probiotics, dietary interventions, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), offer new avenues for restoring microbial balance and enhancing therapy response. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the complex interplay between microbiota and gastric cancer development and emphasizes the potential of microbiome modulation in both preventive and therapeutic frameworks.
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spelling doaj-art-fa95ef0a0f144c37a0f0d478061eabcf2025-08-20T03:32:14ZengMDPI AGLife2075-17292025-06-0115799910.3390/life15070999Gastric Cancer and Microbiota: Exploring the Microbiome’s Role in Carcinogenesis and Treatment StrategiesDaniela-Cornelia Lazăr0Sorin-Dan Chiriac1George-Andrei Drăghici2Elena-Alina Moacă3Alexandra Corina Faur4Mihaela-Flavia Avram5Vladiana-Romina Turi6Mihaela-Roxana Nicolin7Adrian Goldiș8Matin Asad Salehi9Radu Jipa10University Clinic of Internal Medicine IV, Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Timisoara, 2 Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaUniversity Clinic of Surgery III, Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Timisoara, 2 Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaUniversity Clinic of Toxicology, Drug Industry, Management and Legislation, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Timisoara, 2 Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaUniversity Clinic of Toxicology, Drug Industry, Management and Legislation, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Timisoara, 2 Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaUniversity Clinic of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Timisoara, 2 Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaUniversity Clinic of Surgery I, Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Timisoara, 2 Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaUniversity Clinic of Internal Medicine IV, Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Timisoara, 2 Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaCardiology Department, Clinical Emergency Military Hospital, 7 Gheorghe Lazar Street, 300080 Timisoara, RomaniaUniversity Clinic of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Timisoara, 2 Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaDoctoral School of Dental Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Timisoara, 9 Revolutiei 1989 Blvd., 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaDepartment of “Life Science”, Faculty of Medicine, “Vasile Goldiş” Western University of Arad, 86 Liviu Rebreanu Street, 310048 Arad, RomaniaGastric cancer (GC) remains a major global health burden, with high morbidity and mortality rates, particularly in regions with prevalent <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> (<i>H. pylori</i>) infection. While <i>H. pylori</i> has long been recognized as a primary carcinogenic agent, recent research has underscored the broader contribution of the gastric microbiota to gastric carcinogenesis. Alterations in the microbial community, or dysbiosis, contribute to chronic inflammation, immune modulation, and epithelial transformation through a range of mechanisms, including disruption of mucosal integrity, activation of oncogenic signaling pathways (e.g., PI3K/Akt, NF-κB, STAT3), and epigenetic alterations. Furthermore, microbial metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids, secondary bile acids, and lactate, play dual roles in either promoting or suppressing tumorigenesis. Oral and gut-derived microbes, translocated to the gastric niche, have been implicated in reshaping the gastric microenvironment and exacerbating disease progression. The composition of the microbiota also influences responses to cancer immunotherapy, suggesting that microbial profiles can serve as both prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Emerging strategies, such as probiotics, dietary interventions, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), offer new avenues for restoring microbial balance and enhancing therapy response. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the complex interplay between microbiota and gastric cancer development and emphasizes the potential of microbiome modulation in both preventive and therapeutic frameworks.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/7/999gastric cancermicrobiotamicrobiome<i>H. pylori</i>carcinogenesistreatment microbiota
spellingShingle Daniela-Cornelia Lazăr
Sorin-Dan Chiriac
George-Andrei Drăghici
Elena-Alina Moacă
Alexandra Corina Faur
Mihaela-Flavia Avram
Vladiana-Romina Turi
Mihaela-Roxana Nicolin
Adrian Goldiș
Matin Asad Salehi
Radu Jipa
Gastric Cancer and Microbiota: Exploring the Microbiome’s Role in Carcinogenesis and Treatment Strategies
Life
gastric cancer
microbiota
microbiome
<i>H. pylori</i>
carcinogenesis
treatment microbiota
title Gastric Cancer and Microbiota: Exploring the Microbiome’s Role in Carcinogenesis and Treatment Strategies
title_full Gastric Cancer and Microbiota: Exploring the Microbiome’s Role in Carcinogenesis and Treatment Strategies
title_fullStr Gastric Cancer and Microbiota: Exploring the Microbiome’s Role in Carcinogenesis and Treatment Strategies
title_full_unstemmed Gastric Cancer and Microbiota: Exploring the Microbiome’s Role in Carcinogenesis and Treatment Strategies
title_short Gastric Cancer and Microbiota: Exploring the Microbiome’s Role in Carcinogenesis and Treatment Strategies
title_sort gastric cancer and microbiota exploring the microbiome s role in carcinogenesis and treatment strategies
topic gastric cancer
microbiota
microbiome
<i>H. pylori</i>
carcinogenesis
treatment microbiota
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/7/999
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