Introduction: Various types of cancers threaten human life. The role of bacteria in causing cancer is controversial, but it has been determined that the Helicobacter pylori infection is one of the identified risk factors for gastric cancer. Helicobacter pylori infection is highly prevalent, and about half of the world,s population is infected with it.
Objective: The aim of this study was the role of Helicobacter pylori in the development of gastric cancer.
Method: We obtained information from previously published articles.
Results and conclusion: The bacterium has various virulence factors, including cytotoxin- associated gene A, vacuolating cytotoxin A, and the different outer membrane proteins that cause cancer by different mechanisms. These virulence factors activate cell signaling pathways such as PI3-kinase/Akt, JAK/STAT and Ras, Raf, and ERK signaling that control cell proliferation. Uncontrolled proliferation can lead to cancer.
Keywords: Cytotoxin-associated gene A; Gastric cancer; Helicobacter pylori; Vacuolating cytotoxin A.