Role and research progress of spasmolytic polypeptide-expressing metaplasia in gastric cancer (Review)

Gastric cancer ranks as one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide. While the incidence of gastric cancer in Western countries has notably diminished over the past century, it continues to be a leading cause of cancer-related mortality on a global scale. The majority of gastric cancers in humans are attributed to chronic Helicobacter pylori infection and the progression of gastric cancer is often preceded by gastritis, atrophy, metaplasia and dysplasia. However, the precise mechanisms underlying the development of gastric cancer remain ambiguous, including the formation of gastric polyps and precancerous lesions. In humans, two types of precancerous metaplasia have been identified in relation to gastric malignancies: Intestinal metaplasia and spasmolytic polypeptide-expressing metaplasia (SPEM). The role of SPEM in the induction of gastric cancer has gained recent attention and its link with early-stage human gastric cancer is increasingly evident. To gain insight into SPEM, the present study reviewed the role and research progress of SPEM in gastric cancer.