Genetic and epigenetic changes of CDKN2A in gastric cancer

Gastric cancer is a multifactorial heterogeneous disease involving various subgroups with different molecular features and it is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths worldwide. Although dietary conditions (fried, fatty and salty foods), tobacco and alcohol consumption, and some gastrointestinal infections are important in gastric cancer, the development of the disease is complex. It is clear that tumor suppressor genes and proto-oncogenes have a significant impact on the formation of gastric cancer. CDKN2A is a tumor suppressor gene that encodes two different proteins, and methylation, deletion and other mutations of this gene are effective in both the development and prognosis of gastric cancer. CDKN2A hypermethylation is common in gastric cancer related with H. Pylori and EBV infections. A connection is often established between metastases of gastric cancer and losses of this tumor suppressor gene (deletions). In this context, possible changes in the CDKN2A gene should be taken into consideration as a biomarker in the treatment and follow-up of gastric cancer.