The development of therapeutic and preventive vaccines for gastric cancer and Helicobacter pylori

Gastric cancer is one of the most important worldwide public health problems. Convincing epidemiologic and etiologic associations have been made between the development of gastric cancer and infection with Helicobacter pylori. H. pylori not only has adapted to survive within the harsh environment of the stomach but also is able to modulate and avoid endogenous immune responses. The design and creation of efficacious vaccine strategies against H. pylori requires an understanding of the complex interactions that make up mucosal immunity. An effective vaccine strategy against H. pylori has the potential to affect significantly on population health worldwide.