Stomach Cancer: Early Signs, Risks & Prevention Model
- Hong Kong-Researchers at the University of Hong Kong (hkumed) have made strides in understanding the initial stages of stomach cancer,a major cause of cancer deaths globally. Two recent...
- The stomach's acidic environment, while aiding digestion, can also cause cancer-causing mutations in stomach tissues as people age.
- in a collaborative effort, HKUMed, the Wellcome Sanger Institute, and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard analyzed genetic mutations in normal stomach lining tissue using genome sequencing.
Scientists are making meaningful breakthroughs in stomach cancer research, focusing on early detection and prevention, crucial for improving patient outcomes. Researchers at the University of Hong Kong have identified key genetic mutations and the role of chronic inflammation, a key contributor to stomach cancer development. Using organoid models, they’re mapping early changes in stomach cells, including the precancerous condition intestinal metaplasia (IM). These findings on stomach cancer, published in Nature and Gut, offer a detailed look at the mutational landscape of the gastrointestinal tract, providing new avenues for early intervention and more effective treatments. News Directory 3 is tracking these vital advances. Discover what’s next in the fight against this prevalent disease.
Hong Kong Scientists Advance Understanding of Early Stomach Cancer
Updated June 24,2025
Hong Kong-Researchers at the University of Hong Kong (hkumed) have made strides in understanding the initial stages of stomach cancer,a major cause of cancer deaths globally. Two recent studies focus on the disease, which is prevalent in East Asia, including China, and frequently enough linked to chronic inflammation from Helicobacter pylori infection. About 15% of Hong Kong’s population is affected by this infection, which can lead to intestinal metaplasia, a precancerous condition. The studies offer insights into early stomach changes that contribute to stomach cancer growth,possibly improving prevention and early detection.
The stomach’s acidic environment, while aiding digestion, can also cause cancer-causing mutations in stomach tissues as people age. HKUMed researchers are exploring the timing and mechanisms of thes early changes and how they lead to cancer.
in a collaborative effort, HKUMed, the Wellcome Sanger Institute, and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard analyzed genetic mutations in normal stomach lining tissue using genome sequencing. They sequenced whole genomes from 238 samples and targeted sequencing on 829 more from individuals with and without stomach cancer in Hong Kong,the U.S., and the U.K. The findings, published in *Nature*, showed that the stomach lining has protective mechanisms against significant mutations, despite the harsh acidic environment.
The study revealed that mutations increase with age,with normal stomach glands accumulating about 28 mutations annually. In stomach cancer patients, the mutation rate more than doubles, especially in metaplastic glands. Professor Leung Suet-yi, co-lead author and Chairperson of the Department of Pathology, HKUMed, noted that by age 60, nearly 10% of the stomach lining has mutations in known cancer genes, showing a gradual accumulation of potential cancer-causing changes. She added that some stomach regions showed chromosome abnormalities linked to chronic inflammation,with some patients’ stomach cells having three copies of a chromosome,often acquired early in life (ages 12-25),suggesting exposure to a mutagen.
Risk factors for stomach cancer include smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, a high-salt diet, and Helicobacter pylori infection. Professor Leung said their team found that individuals with long-term stomach inflammation had more mutations or extra chromosomes, indicating inflammation’s role in creating a precancerous environment early in life. The research provides a mutational map of the gastrointestinal tract, revealing early mutations that could be useful for early detection and prevention of stomach cancer.
In a related study, HKUMed and the InnoHK Center for Oncology and Immunology investigated intestinal metaplasia (IM), where stomach cells transform to resemble intestine cells, increasing stomach cancer risk. Professor Helen yan hoi-ning and Professor Suet Yi Leung co-led the study, using organoid culture to create a 3D model of IM. Organoids, tiny lab-grown versions of organs from patient tissue, offer a realistic model for studying IM progression to cancer. Professor Yan explained that they grew 70 organoids from tissue samples of 47 stomach cancer patients at Queen Mary Hospital, representing stages from normal to advanced IM.
The study, published in *gut*, found that IM organoids contain hybrid cells with both stomach and intestinal characteristics. These hybrid cells express genes normally active only in developing fetuses, allowing them to partially transform into different cell types. This flexibility mirrors the adaptive nature of cancer cells.Another finding was that IM cells often have chromosome 20 gain and can grow without attaching to a surface, traits associated with cancer cells that facilitate tissue spread.Identifying these genetic changes linked to IM could detect early warning signs of stomach cancer and reveal potential targets for early intervention.
With a global prevalence of 25%, identifying high-risk groups for targeted intervention in IM is crucial. Professor Yan explained that organoid technology can identify early changes when stomach cells become precancerous, helping clinicians assess patient risk and reassure those at lower risk. The goal is to accelerate the detection of these early signs and introduce this technology to clinics for better risk assessment in stomach cancer.
Professor Leung Suet-yi said that with a living cell model now available, the potential for drug development to reverse IM becomes increasingly achievable. These breakthroughs provide new hope in the fight against stomach cancer, potentially transforming patient outcomes and clinical practices.
What’s next
Future research will focus on translating these findings into clinical applications, such as developing targeted therapies and improving early detection methods for stomach cancer and intestinal metaplasia.