“The independent research groups, led by Prof. Scott W. Lowe and Christina Curtis, respectively, have uncovered a similar definitive pathway in the progression of gastric cancer (GC) initiated with loss of the TP53 gene, representing a milstone in understanding the early stages of this deadly disease”.

Dr. Zhaocai Zhou, head of a GC laboratory from Fudan University, stated.

“Their study offers detailed insights into how genetic changes drive the transformation from preneoplastic conditions to full-blown cancer. Their findings revealed that loss of TP53 is not merely a common genetic anomaly but a pivotal event that propels the cellular evolution from benign to malignant states in a manner that is not totally random. This discovery opens new possibility to prevent and treat GC.”

GC ranks as the fifth most common and fourth deadliest cancer worldwide, presenting significant health challenges, particularly in Chinawhere it is most prevalent and accounts for nearly half of newly diagnosised and death cases.

In addition to somatic mutantions, the complex pathology of GC is also determined by exposure to external factors like dietary and microorganisms such as Helicobacter pylori, Streptococcus anginosus, andCandida albicans.

Thus, a long-standing open question in this field is “how the intrinsic genetic driver mutations such as loss of TP53coordinate with extrinsic risk factors such as microbial infection to initiate the gastric tumorigenesis”.

A recent editorial contributed by Dr. Zhaocai Zhou, published in December 2023 in Cancer Biology & Medicine, systemically digested the work published by the Lowe’s and Curtis’ groups in Nature, which sheds light on the critical role of TP53 loss, a gene known for its tumour-suppressing functions, in driving GC initiation; and discussed the limitations and future directions of this burgeoning research area.

Using innovative animal models and cutting-edge genomic technologies, the researchers were able to track cellular transformations in real time.

Their key findings indicate that loss of TP53 gene function initially leads to an increase in chromosomal instability.

This early instability, marked by widespread genetic rearrangements, increases the propensity for aggressive cancer traits to develop.

As the disease progresses, specific gene alterations, including changes in gene copy numbers and structural variationsoccur in a relatively defined but not random order, which are crucial for the cancer to reach its full malignant potential.

Importantly, the two groups identified distinct phases of genetic evolution, all linked to the worsening of the disease.

The initial phase involves subtle genomic changes, followed by more pronounced genetic alterations that solidify the cancer's growth and spread.

This progression pattern offers potential markers for early detection and inspirespreventive or therapeutic strategies aiming to interrupt this deadly evolution path.

“Understanding the role of TP53 loss in the roadmap of GC pathology opens new avenues for early detection and intervention of GC. By identifying the genetic trajectory of tumour evolution, clinicians can potentially devise strategies to intercept the road to cancer much earlier. Moreover, these findings support the use of personalised medicine approaches tailored to the genetic profile of individual tumours.”

Dr. Zhou further addressed, “In this regard, an immediateprominent issue is to evaluate how extrinsic factors influence TP53 loss-related evolution path during GC initiation and development; and future studies might rediscoverthe extrinsic factors in a second-hit paradigm”.

Source: China Anti-Cancer Association