Etiopathogenesis of gastric cancer

The introduction of molecular biology into cancer genetics has resulted in the clarification of several crucial aspects in the etiopathogenesis and tumorigenesis of human cancer. However, gastric cancer continues to represent a clinical burden because of its unfavorable prognosis and our poor knowledge of the molecular mechanisms responsible for the early steps in the initiation of gastric tumor development. Progress has been made through the elucidation of different molecular signaling cascades, such as the mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade, in which the mutator phenotype has been ascribed to a deficiency of the mismatch repair system. While this and similar recent discoveries are still being discussed with respect to their scientific implications, it may nonetheless be appropriate to consider potential clinical applications in the management of patients with gastric cancer.