Insights into the molecular mechanisms of H. pylori-associated B-cell lymphoma

Abstract

Cancer research has extensively explored various factors contributing to cancer development, including chemicals, drugs, smoking, and obesity. However, the role of bacterial infections in cancer induction remains underexplored. In particular, the mechanisms underlying H. pylori-induced B-cell lymphoma, a potential consequence of bacterial infection, have received little attention. In recent years, there has been speculation about contagious agents causing persistent inflammation and encouraging B-lymphocyte transition along with lymphomagenesis. MALT lymphoma associated with chronic H. pylori infection, apart from two other central associated lymphomas - Burkitt’s Lymphoma and DLBCL, is well studied. Owing to the increasing colonization of H. pylori in the host gut and its possible action in the development of B-cell lymphoma, this review aims to summarize the existing reports on different B-cell lymphomas’ probable association with H. pylori infections; also emphasizing the function of the organism in lymphomagenesis; including its interaction with the host, pathogen and host-specific factors, and tumor microenvironment.

Keywords:

• H. pylori
• B-cell lymphoma
• MALT
• DLBCL
• Burkitt’s lymphoma
• CagA
• VacA

Acknowledgement

KM acknowledges financial support from UGC, Govt. of India, for PhD fellowship. PK acknowledges the Science and Engineering Research Board, Govt. of India.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by UGC, Govt. of India, for PhD fellowship. PK acknowledges the Science and Engineering Research Board, Govt. of India, for a research grant (CRG/2020/358) and ICMR, of India for a research grant (OMI/17/2020-ECD-1). This work was also supported by Indian Council of Medical Research; University Grants Commission.