Polymorphisms of inflammatory and metalloproteinase genes, Helicobacter pylori infection and the risk of oesophageal adenocarcinoma

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection appears protective against oesophageal adenocarcinoma (EA) risk. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are released in the presence of HP infection. In MMP2 wild-type individuals, HP was significantly protective of EA risk (adjusted odds ratio: 0.29; 95% confidence interval=0.1-0.7). Matrix metalloproteinases may modulate the EA-HP relationship. © 2008 Cancer Research UK All rights reserved.