Gene Expression Alterations of TIMP3, ELASTIN, K-RAS, and BRAF in Colorectal Cancer Patients with H. pylori Infection

OBJECTIVE: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with over 1.9 million new cases and 0.9 million deaths reported in 2020. The role of Helicobacter pylori infection in CRC pathogenesis remains a significant area of research. This study aimed to investigate the association between H. pylori infection, and genetic alterations in CRC patients. METHODS: A total of 110 blood and tissue biopsy samples were collected from CRC patients at Ghazi AL-Hariri Specialized Surgery Hospital in Baghdad, Iraq, between November 2023 and August 2024. An additional 36 samples from non-cancer patients were used as controls. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to detect H. pylori-specific immunoglobulins (IgG). Gene expression analysis of ELASTIN, TIMP3, K-RAS, and BRAF was performed using RT-qPCR. RESULTS: The study found that H. pylori infection was present in 79.5% of CRC patients, with significant IgG seropositivity (p < 0.05). Gene expression analysis revealed a significant downregulation of TIMP3 and alterations in ELASTIN, K-RAS, and BRAF (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, chronic H. pylori infection may contribute to CRC pathogenesis through sustained inflammation and genetic dysregulation. The study highlights TIMP3 suppression as a potential factor in CRC progression, warranting further investigation into its clinical implications.