Inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal system include various nosological entities, of different aetiology, generally with a high prevalence in the general population. Chronic inflammation, due to the constant activation of the immune system is a well-known risk factor for the development of neoplasms. The transition from an inflammatory to a neoplastic disease usually occurs through morphological alterations within the epithelium of the gastrointestinal tract through the development of atrophy. This pathological alteration is common among different diseases that afflict various parts of the gastrointestinal tract. This includes H. pylori-related gastritis, autoimmune atrophic gastritis, coeliac disease, and other forms of atrophic enteropathy.
The aim of this topic is to dissect the most recent advances in our understanding of the physiopathological, clinical, and therapeutic aspects of pre-neoplastic conditions of the gastrointestinal tract, causing mucosal inflammation and atrophy. Atrophic gastritis causes progressive gastric atrophy, resulting in malabsorption of nutrients, such as iron, vitamin B12, and folate which in turn lead to anemia and various gastrointestinal symptoms, including dyspepsia and diarrhea. Coeliac disease is an atrophic enteropathy caused by the ingestion of gluten-containing food and affecting genetically susceptible individuals, with a prevalence of roughly 1%, and often characterized by iron deficiency anemia, osteoporosis, and/or growth retardation. Other forms of atrophic enteropathy include autoimmune disorders (autoimmune enteropathy), infectious diseases (Whipple's disease, giardiasis), immunodeficiencies (common variable immunodeficiency, HIV), and the use of certain drugs (sartans). Regardless of the pathogenetic mechanisms, the persistent presence of atrophy can lead to the development of neoplasms, such as adenocarcinoma or lymphomas.
We welcome the submission of Original Research, Review, Perspective and Opinion articles focusing on gastrointestinal diseases characterized by the sequence of inflammation-atrophy-cancer. The main thematic areas to be covered are as follows:
1. The inflammation-cancer sequence in gastrointestinal disorders
2. Pathogenesis of mucosal atrophy in coeliac disease
3. Natural history of pediatric and adult coeliac disease
4. Small bowel adenocarcinomas and lymphomas associated with coeliac disease and other atrophic enteropathies
5. Non-coeliac atrophic enteropathies
6. Reversibility of mucosal atrophy in gastrointestinal disorders
7. Pathogenesis of autoimmune and Hp-related gastric atrophy
8. Natural history of autoimmune and Hp-related atrophic gastritis
9. Gastric adenocarcinomas and type 1 neuroendocrine tumors
Dr. Dinis-Ribeiro receives funding from Fujifilm through a scopes loan. The other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with relation to the Research Topic theme.
Inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal system include various nosological entities, of different aetiology, generally with a high prevalence in the general population. Chronic inflammation, due to the constant activation of the immune system is a well-known risk factor for the development of neoplasms. The transition from an inflammatory to a neoplastic disease usually occurs through morphological alterations within the epithelium of the gastrointestinal tract through the development of atrophy. This pathological alteration is common among different diseases that afflict various parts of the gastrointestinal tract. This includes H. pylori-related gastritis, autoimmune atrophic gastritis, coeliac disease, and other forms of atrophic enteropathy.
The aim of this topic is to dissect the most recent advances in our understanding of the physiopathological, clinical, and therapeutic aspects of pre-neoplastic conditions of the gastrointestinal tract, causing mucosal inflammation and atrophy. Atrophic gastritis causes progressive gastric atrophy, resulting in malabsorption of nutrients, such as iron, vitamin B12, and folate which in turn lead to anemia and various gastrointestinal symptoms, including dyspepsia and diarrhea. Coeliac disease is an atrophic enteropathy caused by the ingestion of gluten-containing food and affecting genetically susceptible individuals, with a prevalence of roughly 1%, and often characterized by iron deficiency anemia, osteoporosis, and/or growth retardation. Other forms of atrophic enteropathy include autoimmune disorders (autoimmune enteropathy), infectious diseases (Whipple's disease, giardiasis), immunodeficiencies (common variable immunodeficiency, HIV), and the use of certain drugs (sartans). Regardless of the pathogenetic mechanisms, the persistent presence of atrophy can lead to the development of neoplasms, such as adenocarcinoma or lymphomas.
We welcome the submission of Original Research, Review, Perspective and Opinion articles focusing on gastrointestinal diseases characterized by the sequence of inflammation-atrophy-cancer. The main thematic areas to be covered are as follows:
1. The inflammation-cancer sequence in gastrointestinal disorders
2. Pathogenesis of mucosal atrophy in coeliac disease
3. Natural history of pediatric and adult coeliac disease
4. Small bowel adenocarcinomas and lymphomas associated with coeliac disease and other atrophic enteropathies
5. Non-coeliac atrophic enteropathies
6. Reversibility of mucosal atrophy in gastrointestinal disorders
7. Pathogenesis of autoimmune and Hp-related gastric atrophy
8. Natural history of autoimmune and Hp-related atrophic gastritis
9. Gastric adenocarcinomas and type 1 neuroendocrine tumors
Dr. Dinis-Ribeiro receives funding from Fujifilm through a scopes loan. The other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with relation to the Research Topic theme.