2008-08-012024-05-13https://scholars.lib.ntu.edu.tw/handle/123456789/651330Malignant diseases are major killers worldwide; in difference from the Western Europe and US, gastric cancer is among the most frequent malignancies in Taiwan, Latvia and Lithuania. H.pylori infection is directly related to gastric cancer, and the progression to cancer mainly occurs through atrophic gastritis, caused by this bacteria. However, only 1-2% of the individuals infected with H.pylori infection develop gastric cancer or other malignant disease linked to the infection. The current project is based upon the previous collaboration of the partners within the study on serological detection of atrophic gastritis as well as by using the material obtained in the study. The current project will follow-up the activities of the initial one; during which three different countries revealed GastroPanel by serological measurement of pepsinogen I and II, gastrin-17 and H. pylori infection could reflect status of gastric inflammation. The research objectives of the project will address the bacterial virulence factor analysis of H.pylori, and the host response factor analysis of the individuals in developing atrophic gastritis –the precancerous lesion for the cancer of the stomach. The obtained data will be compared between Taiwan and the Baltic States. Cag A and Vac A positive genotypes will be considered as the key H.pylori virulence factors. IL1B-511, IL1B-31;IL1B-3737; IL1B-1464; IL1RN will be considered as the key host response factors with possible role in developing gastric cancer. The total number of patients to be analysed is 322 (152 individuals from Latvia, 96 from Lithuania and 74 from Taiwan). The obtained results will be reported at international level. Important attention will be paid to the exchange of expertise and experience between the participants; reference institutions in Europe outside the current consortium are expected to be involved. Training of new research staff by practical involvement in the project is considered of outstanding importance. Broadening the international collaboration by the involvement of other collaborative partners in EU (e.g. Sweden and Germany) is also considered part of the research activities.