Pathophysiological Association Between Helicobacter Pylori Infection and Colorectal Cancer – An Analysis of the Latest Studies

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide and represents a significant major public health issue. Therefore, the interest in detecting the multiple factors implied in the development of cancer has increased recently. One of the factors could be the Helicobacter pylori infection, but a direct causal connection is missing. This gram-negative bacterium infects approximately 4 billion individuals globally and various conditions such as gastroduodenal ulcers or gastric adenocarcinomas can be induced by it. Some of the reported carcinogenic effects of Helicobacter pylori bacterium are hypergastrinemia, chronic inflammation, dysbiosis, and toxin production. Each of these elements involved in the pathogenesis has various mechanisms of action. Dysbiosis can occur due to various treatments for the eradication of the Helicobacter pylori infection. This bacterium also has a proinflammatory effect at the gastric level which can predispose to the development of dysplasia or even neoplasia. The toxins produced by this bacterium, such as the vacuolating cytotoxin A, promote inflammation. In this review, we discuss the possible connections between the Helicobacter pylori infection, through its diverse pathogenic mechanisms, and colorectal neoplasm. Prospective studies are necessary to determine whether there certainly is a direct link between the two conditions.