Inflammatory microenvironment in gastric premalignant lesions: implication and application

Shengxiong Zhang; Yang Shen; Hao Liu; Di Zhu; Jiansong Fang; Huafeng Pan; Wei Liu

doi:10.3389/fimmu.2023.1297101

Inflammatory microenvironment in gastric premalignant lesions: implication and application

Front Immunol. 2023 Nov 15:14:1297101. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1297101. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Shengxiong Zhang^{1

2

3}, Yang Shen⁴, Hao Liu⁴, Di Zhu⁴, Jiansong Fang⁵, Huafeng Pan⁵, Wei Liu⁴

Affiliations

¹ Rehabilitation Department, Guangdong Work Injury Rehabilitation Hospital, Guangzhou, China.
² Department of Spleen and Stomach, GuangZhou Tianhe District Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
³ The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
⁴ The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
⁵ Science and Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.

Abstract

Gastric precancerous lesions (GPL) are a major health concern worldwide due to their potential to progress to gastric cancer (GC). Understanding the mechanism underlying the transformation from GPL to GC can provide a fresh insight for the early detection of GC. Although chronic inflammation is prevalent in the GPL, how the inflammatory microenvironment monitored the progression of GPL-to-GC are still elusive. Inflammation has been recognized as a key player in the progression of GPL. This review aims to provide an overview of the inflammatory microenvironment in GPL and its implications for disease progression and potential therapeutic applications. We discuss the involvement of inflammation in the progression of GPL, highlighting Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) as a mediator for inflammatory microenvironment and a key driver to GC progression. We explore the role of immune cells in mediating the progression of GPL, and focus on the regulation of inflammatory molecules in this disease. Furthermore, we discuss the potential of targeting inflammatory pathways for GPL. There are currently no specific drugs for GPL treatment, but traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and natural antioxidants, known as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, exhibit promising effects in suppressing or reversing the progression of GPL. Finally, the challenges and future perspectives in the field are proposed. Overall, this review highlights the central role of the inflammatory microenvironment in the progression of GPL, paving the way for innovative therapeutic approaches in the future.

Keywords: TCM; antioxidants; gastric cancer; gastric precancerous lesions; inflammatory microenvironment.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Antioxidants
Helicobacter pylori*
Humans
Inflammation
Precancerous Conditions* / pathology
Stomach Neoplasms*
Tumor Microenvironment

Substances

Antioxidants

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.82374343, No.82004300), Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation of Guangdong Province (No.2023A1515011107), Guangzhou Health Science and Technology Project (No. 20222A011025), Medical Science and Technology Research Fund of Guangdong Province (B2023168), Basic Research Program of Guangzhou Science and Technology Bureau (No.2023A04J1169), The General Program of Open Project of Joint Construction of State Key Laboratory for Dampness Syndrome of Traditional Chinese Medicine by Guangdong Province and Ministry of Science and Technology(No.SZ2022KF17), Guangdong University Research Platform and Projects-Key Field Projects (No. 2023ZDZX2013), Open Bidding for Selecting the Best Teams in Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (A1-2601-23-414-110Z77), National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.81973816), Innovation Team and Talents Cultivation Program of National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (No: ZYYCXTD-C-202208).