How H. pylori infection affects stomach cancer risk
H. Pylori Relationship to Digestive Diseases and Cancer
Researchers are looking at how H. pylori infections change stomach cells and immune signals in people who have or are at risk for gastric (stomach) cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11323569 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work focuses on Helicobacter pylori, a common stomach germ that is the strongest known risk factor for gastric cancer. Scientists compare infected and uninfected human stomach tissue, use mouse models that lack the NOD1 immune sensor, and grow patient-derived stomach organoids (gastroids) to see how infection changes inflammation and cell signaling. They measure changes in NOD1, NF-kB activity, and IL-9 receptor levels and observe whether those changes promote tissue damage or tumor formation. The combined human samples and animal/cell models aim to link molecular changes caused by H. pylori to cancer risk.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be adults with current or past H. pylori infection, chronic gastritis, precancerous stomach lesions, or gastric cancer who can provide tissue samples or clinical follow-up data.
Not a fit: People without H. pylori infection or those with cancers unrelated to the stomach are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new ways to prevent or treat H. pylori–related stomach cancer by targeting the NOD1/IL-9 inflammatory pathway.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has already linked H. pylori (including CagA and the type IV secretion system) to gastric cancer, and this project builds on prior findings by exploring NOD1 suppression and IL-9 as newer mechanisms.
Where this research is happening
Nashville, United States
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center — Nashville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Peek, Richard M. — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Peek, Richard M.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.