New perspectives in the research of Helicobacter pylori vaccine

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a leading cause of gastric cancer. The emergence of antibiotic resistance has made the development of an effective vaccine an urgent priority. This article provides a comprehensive review of the current state of research and recent advancements in H. pylori vaccine development. Traditional vaccine platforms, including inactivated vaccines, recombinant protein vaccines, DNA vaccines, and viral vector vaccines, face limitations due to the complex immune evasion mechanisms employed by the bacterium, making it difficult to induce long-lasting protective immunity. Emerging technologies are making significant progress: mRNA vaccines, with their enhanced immunogenicity, offer a promising approach to counter bacterial variation; novel adjuvants and mucosal delivery platforms are focused on enhancing mucosal immunity. Additionally, the standardization of animal models plays a crucial role in the evaluation of vaccine efficacy. Although challenges in antigen screening and efficacy verification persist, the integration of multiple technological approaches is steering the field towards more precise and effective strategies. In the future, as new technologies continue to mature, H. pylori vaccines are expected to play a pivotal role in regions with a high incidence of gastric cancer.