Correlation analysis of Helicobacter pylori infection, p-STAT3 with colon cancer and precancerous lesions

Abstract Background This study aimed to investigate the correlations among Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection, p-STAT3, colon cancer and precancerous lesions. Methods A total of 124 patients who underwent colonoscopy at the Endoscopy Center of Anqing First People's Hospital from January 2021 to June 2024 were enrolled. According to the pathological results of colonoscopy, the patients were divided into four groups: the adenoma group, the high-grade group, the cancer group and the control group. The expression of p-STAT3 and the status of Hp infection in each group were mainly observed. Results In Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection, significant differences were observed between the high-grade group (71.0%), the cancer group (71.0%), and the control group (25.8%) (P < 0.05). Additionally, there were significant differences between the high-grade group (71.0%), the cancer group (71.0%), and the adenoma group (29.0%) in Hp infection (P < 0.05). Regarding the positive expression of p-STAT3, significant differences were found between the high-grade group (64.5%), the cancer group (74.2%), and the control group (12.9%) (P < 0.05). Moreover, significant differences existed between the high-grade group (64.5%), the cancer group (74.2%), and the adenoma group (29.0%) in the positive expression of p-STAT3 (P < 0.05). Spearman correlation analysis was used to examine the relationship between Hp infection and p-STAT3, revealing a positive correlation between Hp positivity (%) and p-STAT3 positivity (%) (rs = 0.209, P = 0.02). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis indicated that Hp infection and p-STAT3 positivity were independent risk factors for the cancer group with statistical significance (P < 0.05), and they were also independent risk factors for the high-grade group with statistical significance (P < 0.05). Conclusion Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection and increased expression of p-STAT3 increase the risk of colorectal cancer and colorectal adenoma with high-grade dysplasia and are independent risk factors for both. There is a positive correlation between Hp infection and upregulated p-STAT3 expression in patients, suggesting that the two may jointly participate in the occurrence and development of colorectal cancer and precancerous lesions.