The impact of <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> on gastric cancer formation and early warning signal identification

Gastric cancer is highly prevalent in Asia and is characterized by poor prognosis post-surgery and a high recurrence rate within five years. Research has highlighted the role of Helicobacter pylori in initiating or accelerating gastric cancer development. However, quantitative analysis of its impact on gastric cancer carcinogenesis is still lacking. This study employs gene regulatory networks and landscape and flux theory, integrating genetic and epigenetic factors, to quantitatively elucidate how Helicobacter pylori influences gastric cancer progression. Varied Helicobacter pylori infection concentrations lead to significant shifts in system thermodynamic and dynamic driving forces, altering gene expression levels. Quantitative analysis of entropy production rate and mean-flux in the gastric cancer system reveals the global changes in thermodynamic and dynamic driving forces. Coupled with autocorrelation, cross correlation, and variance analysis, we pinpoint critical stages of Helicobacter pylori infection, serving as early warning signals for gastric cancer. This approach bridges theoretical and clinical realms, dynamically assessing Helicobacter pylori's impact on gastric cancer and identifying crucial early warning signals, with significant clinical and translational implications.