Serial serum interleukin-8 trajectories are associated with progression from Helicobacter pylori-associated precancerous lesions to gastric cancer: a prospective longitudinal cohort study

Background

Gastric cancer remains the fourth leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with delayed diagnosis contributing to poor prognosis. Current biomarkers lack sensitivity for early detection. Interleukin-8 (IL-8), a pro-inflammatory chemokine implicated in H. pylori-associated gastric carcinogenesis, has not been rigorously evaluated in longitudinal studies for its ability to predict malignant progression in patients with precancerous lesions.