Helicobacter pylori infection is an established risk factor for gastric cancer development, but the exact underlying mechanism still remains obscure. The inactivation of tumor suppressor genes such as p53 and p27(KIP1) is a hypothesized mechanism, although there is no consensus regarding the influence of H. pylori cagA(+) in the development of these genetic alterations.
Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Forensic Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Rua Alexandre Baraúna, 949, Rodolfo Téofilo, CEP 60430-160, Fortaleza-CE, Brazil. angelarandre@yahoo.com.br