First steps towards vaccine against a cause of stomach cancer.

Many cases of stomach (gastric) cancer are caused by long-term infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori.  A vaccine that prevents infection with H. pylori could reduce the incidence of gastric cancer.  U.S. researchers, using computer modeling, have developed a vaccine that generates a strong immune response against the bacteria and reduces stomach colonization.  The vaccine did not greatly impact the changes in gastric tissue caused by infection.  Additional work is needed to create a vaccine with the desired impact on cancer development.