advertisement
Science News
from research organizations

Scientists discover origin of cell mask that hides stomach cancer

Date:
July 8, 2019
Source:
Hiroshima University
Summary:
In a recent study, researchers have uncovered the origin of a layer of cells that look like normal stomach lining on top of sites of stomach cancer: it is produced by the cancer tissue itself.
Share:
advertisement

FULL STORY

A layer of cells that look like normal stomach lining on top of sites of stomach cancer can make it difficult to spot after removal of a Helicobacter pylori infection. In a recent study, researchers from Hiroshima University have uncovered the origin of this layer of cells: it is produced by the cancer tissue itself.

Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) is a type of bacteria that lives in people's stomachs. To survive the harsh environment these bacteria can neutralize stomach acid.H. pyloriis the leading cause of stomach cancer, one of the most common types of cancer which can have a low survival rate. The bacteria cause inflammation by injecting a toxin-like substance into mucosal cells that line the stomach. This destruction and regeneration of these cells can lead to the development of stomach cancer.

In this study Professor Kazuaki Chayama, from Hiroshima University Hospital, and his team found the origins of a strange layer of cells that was present on stomach cancer sites after treatment ofH. pylori. This layer, called ELA (epithelium with low-grade atypia), resembled normal mucosal cells that line the stomach and acted like a mask to hide stomach cancer. Up to now, researchers were not sure where this layer came from.

"It was very interesting scientifically to find that that cancer reoccurs even after eradicating causal bacteria." says Chayama.

AH. pyloriinfection is cured after a course of antibiotics that leave reddish depression in the stomach.

"H. pylorieradication affects the regeneration of gastric mucosa. After eradication there are many reddish depressions in the stomach, most of them are not cancer. It is difficult to identify the ELA mucosa from amongst the regular mucosa." explains Chayama.

The research group conducted a preliminary study on 10 patients after gastric operations and looked for this layer of cells. The ELA cells' DNA was intensively studied and was found to be identical to stomach cancer cells. ELA was concluded to come from the stomach cancer tissue itself.

These findings could mean that even after getting rid ofH. pylorithere is still a risk of stomach cancer for some patients. Stomach cancer can be difficult to spot due to its location and the fact that the disease can progress slowly. This is not helped by ELA that masks cancer after the causal factor is removed.

Chayama stresses that clinicians should be aware of this layer, so they don't miss potential sites of stomach cancer and that it is important for patients to continue having check-ups even after finishing treatment forH. pylori.

advertisement

Story Source:

Materials provided byHiroshima University.Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Kazuhiko Masuda, Yuji Urabe, Masanori Ito, Atsushi Ono, Hayes Clair Nelson, Koki Nakamura, Takahiro Kotachi, Tomoyuki Boda, Shinji Tanaka, Kazuaki Chayama.Genomic landscape of epithelium with low-grade atypia on gastric cancer after Helicobacter pylori eradiation therapy.Journal of Gastroenterology, 2019; DOI:10.1007/s00535-019-01596-4

Cite This Page:

Hiroshima University. "Scientists discover origin of cell mask that hides stomach cancer." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 8 July 2019. .
Hiroshima University. (2019, July 8). Scientists discover origin of cell mask that hides stomach cancer.ScienceDaily. Retrieved June 16, 2023 from www.koonmotors.com/releases/2019/07/190708094227.htm
Hiroshima University. "Scientists discover origin of cell mask that hides stomach cancer." ScienceDaily. www.koonmotors.com/releases/2019/07/190708094227.htm (accessed June 16, 2023).

Explore More
from ScienceDaily

RELATED STORIES

advertisement