Progress in immunotherapy for Helicobacter pylori infections.

Helicobacter pylori is the most common cause of chronic gastric mucosal infections worldwide. The current global H. pylori infection rate is estimated at 50%. Untreated H. pylori colonization may lead to gastritis, peptic ulcers, and malignancies such as mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma and gastric cancer. H. pylori grows in the gastric mucosa by modulating host immunity, and can trigger a strong host immune response. The interaction between H. pylori and host immune defenses is complex, and the bacterium induces a gastric mucosal immunosuppressive microenvironment through multiple pathways to achieve colonization. This review analyzes the mechanisms involved in H. pylori pathogenic and immune evasion mechanisms, emphasizing the importance of identifying new therapeutic targets and developing effective treatment strategies to address the significant increase in the global prevalence of H. pylori antibiotic resistance. The review further discusses the synergistic status of H. pylori immunotherapy and antibiotic therapy and potential strategies for eradicating H. pylori infections.