Retrospective Study
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World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. Aug 15, 2014; 5(3): 366-372
Published online Aug 15, 2014. doi: 10.4291/wjgp.v5.i3.366
Cancer stem cells in Helicobacter pylori infection and aging: Implications for gastric carcinogenesis
Edi Levi, Paula Sochacki, Nabiha Khoury, Bhaumik B Patel, Adhip PN Majumdar
Edi Levi, Paula Sochacki, Nabiha Khoury, Bhaumik B Patel, Adhip PN Majumdar, Department of Veterans Affairs, John D Dingell VA Medical Center, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, United States
Edi Levi, Pathology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, United States
Bhaumik B Patel, Adhip PN Majumdar, Karmanos Cancer Center, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, United States
Adhip PN Majumdar, Departments of Internal Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, United States
Author contributions: Levi E and Patel BB performed the experiments and wrote the manuscript; Sochacki P and Khoury N evaluated the slides, verified the diagnoses and scored the immunohistochemical stains, they also participated in the drafting of the manuscript; Majumdar APN participated in the design, evaluation of data and writing the manuscript.
Supported by Grants to Dr. Majumdar from NIH/NIA, No. AG014343; and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA Merit Review)
Correspondence to: Adhip PN Majumdar, PhD, DSc, Department of Veterans Affairs, John D Dingell VA Medical Center, 4646 John R, Room B-4238, Detroit, MI 48201, United States. majumdar@med.wayne.edu
Telephone: +1-313-5764460 Fax: +1-313-5761112
Received: November 2, 2013
Revised: April 3, 2014
Accepted: May 8, 2014
Published online: August 15, 2014
Core Tip

Core tip: In this study we demonstrated an age-related increase in cancer stem/stem-like cells (CSCs) in normal appearing gastric mucosa with activated Wnt signaling. In addition, we have shown that gastric infection by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) induces an increase in CSC population in the gastric mucosa. Based on our observations we believe that aging and chronic inflammation with H. pylori are two significant factors that overlap and presumably exacerbate each other in gastric carcinogenesis.