An IL-8 promoter polymorphism (IL-8-251A/T), which causes increased expression of IL-8, has been reported to be associated with progression of gastric atrophy in patients with H. pylori infection, thus increasing the risk of gastric ulcer and gastric cancer (199), as confirmed by a recent meta-analysis (200). The gene discussed is CXCL8; the disease is chronic atrophic gastritis.