Helicobacter pylori infection and serum level of pepsinogen are associated with the risk of metachronous gastric neoplasm after endoscopic resection

External validation of the FAMISH predicting score for early gastric cancer with endoscopic submucosal dissection

OBJECTIVE

To externally validate the robustness of the FAMISH predicting score designed to estimate the risk of metachronous gastric lesions (MGLs) after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early gastric cancer (EGC).

METHODS

This multicenter, retrospective study included 618 patients with EGC who underwent curative ESD at two tertiary referral teaching hospitals between January 2014 and December 2019. FAMISH score was a composite indicator of age, sex, family history, corpus intestinal metaplasia, synchronous lesions, and H. pylori infection. Discrimination, calibration, and risk stratification of these scores were assessed. Associations between MGL characteristics and FAMISH scores were also explored.

RESULTS

After a median follow-up period of 60 months, 83 of 618 patients (13.4%) developed MGL. The discrimination ability according to the area under the curve was 0.708 (95% CI, 0.645-0.772) for predicting the 5-year MGL. The calibration results showed good consistency between the predicted and actual MGL (Hosmer-Lemeshow, P  > 0.05). In terms of risk stratification, the 5-year MGL rates were 4.1% (95% CI, 1.6%-6.5%), 10.8% (95% CI, 7.2%-14.3%), and 32.1% (95% CI, 20.9%-41.7%) in the low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups, respectively ( P  < 0.001). For patients with MGL, the curative resection rate of ESD was significantly higher in the low- and intermediate-risk groups than in the high-risk group (100% vs. 80%, P  = 0.037).

CONCLUSION

The FAMISH predicting score was externally validated and can be generalized to an independent patient population. This adjuvant tool can assist in individual clinical decision-making.

Metachronous gastric neoplasm beyond 5 years after endoscopic resection for early gastric cancer

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The natural course of early gastric cancer (EGC) following endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) remains unclear. This study aimed to clarify the long-term clinical outcomes and risk factors of metachronous gastric neoplasm (MGN) 5 years after ESD for EGC.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent ESD for EGC from July 2005 to October 2015 in Seoul National University Hospital. Long-term clinical outcomes and risk factors of MGN after 5 years post-ESD were evaluated.

RESULTS

Among the 2059 patients who underwent ESD for EGC, 1102 were followed up for > 5 years. MGN developed in 132 patients 5 years after ESD. During the median follow-up period of 85 months, the cumulative incidences of MGN and metachronous gastric cancer were 11.7, 16.9, and 27.0 and 7.6, 10.8, and 18.7% after 5, 7, and 10 years, respectively. In multivariable analysis, male sex (odds ratio 1.770; P = 0.042), severe intestinal metaplasia (odds ratio 1.255; P = 0.000), tumor-positive lateral margin (odds ratio 2.711; P = 0.008), < 5 mm lateral safety margin (odds ratio 1.568; P = 0.050), and synchronous adenoma (odds ratio 2.612; P = 0.001) were positive predictive factors, and successful eradication of Helicobacter pylori (odds ratio 0.514; P = 0.024) was a negative predictive factor for MGN after 5 years post-ESD.

CONCLUSION

The cumulative MGN incidence was high even 5 years post-ESD for EGC. Meticulous long-term endoscopic follow-up is mandatory, especially in male patients with underlying intestinal metaplasia, tumor-positive lateral margins, lateral safety margins of < 5 mm, and synchronous adenomas.

Mass screening and eradication of Helicobacter pylori as the policy recommendations for gastric cancer prevention

Gastric cancer is an inflammation-related cancer triggered by Helicobacter pylori infection. Understanding of the natural disease course has prompted the hypothesis that gastric cancer can be prevented by administering a short-course antibiotic treatment to eradicate the H. pylori infection and interrupt this carcinogenic cascade. Results from randomized controlled trials and cohort studies have repeatedly confirmed this concept, which has moved attention from individual management of H. pylori infection to population-wide implementation of screening programs. Such a paradigm shift follows a three-tier architecture. First, healthcare policy-makers determine the most feasible and applicable eligibility, invitation, testing, referral, treatment, and evaluation methods for an organized screening program to maximize the population benefits and cost-effectiveness. Second, provision of knowledge and effective feedback to frontline general practitioners, including choice of diagnostic tests, selection of eradication regimens, and the indication of endoscopic examination, ensures the quality of care and increases the likelihood of desired treatment responses. Third, initiatives to raise population awareness are designed regarding the impact of H. pylori infection and risky lifestyle habits on the stomach health. These programs, with increased accessibility and geographic coverage in progress, will accelerate the decline in morbidity, mortality, and associated costs of this preventable malignancy.

Statistical proof of Helicobacter pylori eradication in preventing metachronous gastric cancer after endoscopic resection in an East Asian population

We conducted a comprehensive literature review and meta-analysis study on the efficacy of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication in preventing metachronous gastric cancer after endoscopic resection among an East Asian population. Our results showed that the eradication of this pathogen significantly reduced the risk of susceptibility to metachronous gastric cancer in these patients. However, based on the available evidence, several factors such as increasing age, severe atrophy in the corpus and antrum, and intestinal metaplasia all may increase the risk of metachronous gastric cancer in H. pylori eradicated patients.

Low serum pepsinogen II levels are closely linked with a risk of metabolic syndrome among healthy individuals with asymptomatic Helicobacter pylori infection: a cross-sectional study

Aim: Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection has a connection with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Pepsinogen II (PGII) is a marker for gastric epithelial function. The present research was aimed at determining the associations among serum PGII levels, Hp infection and MetS in healthy subjects. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 1242 healthy people, including 545 subjects with asymptomatic Hp infection and 697 subjects without Hp infection. Based on the number of MetS components present, subjects with Hp infection were assigned to the following groups: group 1, no component (126 subjects); group 2, one or two components (260 subjects); and group 3, three or more components (159 subjects). Physical measurements and biochemical indices were recorded. Serum PGII levels were recorded using ELISA. SPSS and GraphPad Prism were used for statistical analyses. Results: Among subjects with Hp infection, serum PGII was evidently downregulated in group 3 compared with group 1 (14.95 ± 8.24 vs 17.97 ± 9.08 μg/l; p = 0.015). Serum PGII levels were correlated with an increased risk of MetS (odds ratio: 0.867; 95% CI: 0.772-0.974; p = 0.016), as indicated by the multivariate logistic regression analysis. Grouping subjects with Hp infection according to quartiles of serum PGII levels identified an evident difference in MetS prevalence among the four quartile-based groups (p = 0.047). Conclusions: Among healthy subjects with asymptomatic Hp infection, serum PGII levels were lower in those with MetS than in those without MetS. Serum PGII levels showed an independent and negative correlation with the risk of MetS in healthy subjects with Hp infection.

Serum Assay Findings after Successful Helicobacter pylori Eradication

Serum pepsinogen (PG), anti-Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) immunoglobulin G (IgG), and gastrin-17 (G-17) are plasma biomarkers for gastritis. H. pylori serology titers and PG levels increase during active H. pylori infection; moreover, elevated PG II levels indicate a high risk for diffuse-type gastric cancer in East Asian populations. Serum PG I/II ratios and PG I levels decrease with the progression of gastric corpus atrophy; thus, a combination of serum PG I levels ≤70 ng/mL and a PG I/II ratio ≤3 (serologic atrophy) indicates a high risk of intestinal-type gastric cancer. Serum G-17 is often not used as an indicator in H. pylori-seroprevalent populations because it is usually elevated in subjects with H. pylori infections. When H. pylori is eradicated, most patients show a rapid decrease in serum PG II levels and anti-H. pylori IgG titers within a few months. Seroreversion is required for several months to years after regression of H. pylori. Moreover, seroreversion may not always be achieved in all eradicated cases. The serum PG I/II ratio starts to increase after eradication; therefore, serologic atrophy improves accordingly, unless severe atrophy is present. Thus, some eradicated patients may show normal serum assay findings but have a higher risk for developing gastric cancer than H. pylori-naive subjects. Furthermore, serum PG levels decrease after gastrectomy and increase with the intake of certain drugs (e.g., aspirin or acid suppressants) or in renal failure patients. Due to such wide variations, serum assays are inadequate for the confirmation of H. pylori eradication. It is useful when interpreted with gastroscopy and other H. pylori test findings.

Long-term follow up of serum pepsinogens in patients with gastric cancer or dysplasia after Helicobacter pylori eradication

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Few studies have evaluated the change in serum pepsinogen (sPG) levels after the eradication of Helicobacter pylori. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of H. pylori eradication on sPG levels in patients with gastric cancer/dysplasia in comparison to a control group.

METHODS

We prospectively enrolled 368 patients with gastric cancer/dysplasia and 610 control subjects. H. pylori status and sPG levels were measured before and after eradication. The follow-up time points were classified as < 12, 12-23, 24-35, and ≥ 36 months.

RESULTS

In 179 H. pylori-eradicated patients with gastric cancer/dysplasia and 168 control group subjects, sPG I significantly decreased, and the sPG I/II ratio significantly increased after eradication compared to baseline, and this improvement in sPG values was maintained during all follow-up time points. Significant differences in sPG I and the sPG I/II ratio were observed between the gastric cancer/dysplasia group and the control group < 24 months after eradication. However, these differences in sPG values disappeared after ≥ 24 months of follow up. Moreover, significant differences in the intestinal metaplasia grade were observed between these two groups before eradication until < 24 months after eradication. However, these differences in the intestinal metaplasia grade disappeared after ≥ 24 months of follow up in the corpus.

CONCLUSION

The sPG values and intestinal metaplasia grade (corpus) in the gastric cancer/dysplasia group became similar to those in the control group at long-term follow up after H. pylori eradication. It might be related with the reduction of metachronous gastric neoplasm.

Prognostic factors for ESD of early gastric cancers: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and study aims  Gastric neoplasms are one of the leading types of cancer in the world and early detection is essential to improve prognosis. Endoscopy is the gold-standard diagnostic procedure and allows adequate treatment in selected cases. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been reported to safely address most early gastric cancers (EGCs), with high curability rates. However, data on prognostic factors related to ESDs of EGCs are conflicting. Therefore, we aimed to systematically review the available literature and to perform a meta-analysis to identify the relevant prognostic factors in this context. Methods  We performed this study according to PRISMA guidelines. Comparative studies assessing the relationship between curative resection or long-term curability rates and relevant prognostic factors were selected. Prognostic factors were demographic data, lesion features (location, morphology of the lesion, size, and depth of invasion), histological findings, Helycobacter pylori (HP) infection, presence of gastric a atrophy and body mass index (BMI). Finally, we also evaluated risk factors related to metachronous gastric neoplasm. Results  The initial search retrieved 2829 records among which 46 studies were included for systematic review and meta-analysis. The total sample comprised 28366 patients and 29282 lesions. Regarding curative resection, pooled data showed no significant influence of sex [odds ratio (OR): 1.15 (0,97, 1.36) P  = 0.10 I 2  = 47 %] , age [OR: 1.00 (0.61, 1.64) P  = 1.00 I 2  = 58 %], posterior vs non-posterior location [OR: 1.35 (0.81, 2.27) P  = 0.25 I 2  = 84 %], depressed vs von-depressed macroscopic type[OR: 1.21 (0.99, 1.49) P  = 0.07 I 2  = 0 %], non-upper vs upper location [OR: 1.41 (0.93, 2.14) P  = 0.10 I 2  = 77 %] and BMI [OR: 0.84 (0.57; 1.26) P  = 0.41 I 2  = 0 %]. Differentiated neoplasms presented greater chance of cure compare to undifferentiated [OR: 0.10 (0.07, 0.15) P  < 0.00001 I 2  = 0 %]. Ulcerated lesions had lower curative rates compared to non-ulcerated [OR: 3.92 (2.81, 5.47) P  < 0.00001 I 2  = 44 %]. Lesions smaller than 20 mm had greater chance of curative resection [OR: 3.94 (3.25, 4.78) P  < 0.00001 I 2  = 38 %]. Bleeding during procedure had lower curative rates compared to non-bleeding [OR: 2.13 (1.56, 2.93) P  < 0.0001 I 2  = 0 %]. Concerning long-term cure, female gender [OR 1.62 (1.33, 1.97) P  < 0.00001 I 2  = 0 %] and the mucosal over SM1 cancers were protective factors [OR: 0.08 (0.02, 0.39) P  = 0.002 I 2  = 86 %]. Gastric atrophy [OR: 0.60 (0.45, 0.81) P  = 0.0006 I 2  = 42 %] and the pepsinogen I/pepsinogen II ratio [OR 2.29 (1.47, 3.57) P  = 0.0002 I 2  = 0 %] were risk factors to metachronous gastric neoplasm. Conclusions  Ulcerated lesions, histology, bleeding and size > 20 mm are prognostic factors concerning curative resection. Regarding long-term cure, female gender and mucosal over SM1 cancer are predictive factors. Gastric atrophy and the pepsinogen ratio are risk factors for metachronous gastric neoplasm.

Optimized diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori and tailored eradication therapy for preventing gastric cancer: a proposal for SHAKE strategy

INTRODUCTION

To decrease gastric cancer-related mortality, the Korean National Cancer Screening Program provides biennial screening gastroscopy to all individuals aged >40 years. However, a test-and-treat strategy of Helicobacter pylori for preventing gastric cancer has not been established.

AREAS COVERED

In this review, we present up-to-date results of endoscopic findings of H. pylori gastritis, optimal sites for H. pylori detection, gastric cancer risk assessment using serum pepsinogen, tailored eradication based on the antimicrobial resistance against H. pylori, and post-eradication surveillance.

EXPERT OPINION

Here we propose approaches to H. pylori diagnosis and treatment for preventing gastric cancer, termed 'Screening for H. pylori in Korea and Eradication (SHAKE)' strategy. This strategy consists of the following: (1) optimized H. pylori diagnosis, (2) individualized management based on the H. pylori infection status, and (3) tailored eradication therapy. H. pylori gastritis can be diagnosed by endoscopic observation of the gastric mucosal pattern at the greater curvature of the corpus. Measurement of the serum pepsinogen I/II ratio is useful for assessing the risk of gastric cancer. As a first-line treatment, tailored eradication based on the results of molecular testing is effective in a country with a high rate of clarithromycin-resistant H. pylori.

Chemoprevention of gastric cancer development after Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy in an East Asian population: Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a risk factor for gastric cancer (GC), especially in East Asian populations. Most East Asian populations infected with H. pylori are at higher risk for GC than H. pylori-positive European and United States populations. H. pylori eradication therapy reduces gastric cancer risk in patients after endoscopic and operative resection for GC, as well as in non-GC patients with atrophic gastritis.

AIM

To clarify the chemopreventive effects of H. pylori eradication therapy in an East Asian population with a high incidence of GC.

METHODS

PubMed and the Cochrane library were searched for randomized control trials (RCTs) and cohort studies published in English up to March 2019. Subgroup analyses were conducted with regard to study designs (i.e., RCTs or cohort studies), country where the study was conducted (i.e., Japan, China, and South Korea), and observation periods (i.e., ≤ 5 years and > 5 years). The heterogeneity and publication bias were also measured.

RESULTS

For non-GC patients with atrophic gastritis and patients after resection for GC, 4 and 4 RCTs and 12 and 18 cohort studies were included, respectively. In RCTs, the median incidence of GC for the untreated control groups and the treatment groups was 272.7 (180.4–322.4) and 162.3 (72.5–588.2) per 100000 person-years in non-GC cases with atrophic gastritis and 1790.7 (406.5–2941.2) and 1126.2 (678.7–1223.1) per 100000 person-years in cases of after resection for GC. Compared with non-treated H. pylori-positive controls, the eradication groups had a significantly reduced risk of GC, with a relative risk of 0.67 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.47–0.96] for non-GC patients with atrophic gastritis and 0.51 (0.36–0.73) for patients after resection for GC in the RCTs, and 0.39 (0.30–0.51) for patients with gastritis and 0.54 (0.44–0.67) for patients after resection in cohort studies.

CONCLUSION

In the East Asian population with a high risk of GC, H. pylori eradication effectively reduced the risk of GC, irrespective of past history of previous cancer.

Effects of eradicating Helicobacter pylori on metachronous gastric cancer prevention: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection is closely associated with the incidence of gastric cancer. However, whether H pylori eradication prevents metachronous gastric cancer remains uncertain. The aim of our study is to assess how eradicating H pylori influences metachronous gastric cancer onset following treatment of early stage gastric cancer via endoscopic resective surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis by searching PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. Cohort studies and randomized controlled trials that compared individuals receiving H pylori eradication with individuals receiving placebo/nontreatment and evaluated the subsequent onset of metachronous gastric cancer as the main outcome were eligible for our study. Two authors reviewed articles and extracted data independently. Integrated results for all data were presented as risk ratio.

RESULTS

Thirteen studies containing 3863 patients were consistent with study inclusion criteria. Of the 2480 individuals in whom H pylori was successfully eradicated, 163 (6.57%) developed metachronous gastric cancer, as compared with 176 (12.73%) out of 1383 persistently infected individuals. The pooled risk ratio of metachronous gastric cancer for these studies was 0.46 (95% CI, 0.37-0.57, P < .001), providing support for the therapeutic elimination of H pylori. Subgroup analyses yielded similar results.

CONCLUSION

Eradicating H pylori via therapeutic treatment can effectively reduce rates of metachronous gastric cancer, and as such, it should be implemented in H pylori-infected individuals recently treated for early stage gastric cancers via endoscopic resection.

Analysis of factors associated with recovery of the serum pepsinogen ratio after Helicobacter pylori eradication: a long-term follow-up study in Korea

Objective: Serum levels of pepsinogen (PG) are related to Helicobacter pylori-induced inflammation of the gastric mucosa. This study aimed to examine the influence of H. pylori eradication on serum PG, analyze its associated factors, and evaluate the long-term outcomes.Methods: H. pylori-positive patients who underwent gastroscopy and serum PG measurement were enrolled in a single academic hospital. After H. pylori eradication, the measurement of serum PG level was performed. Recovery of serum PG I/II ratio was defined as a PG I/II ratio after eradication of >3.0 in patients with a PG I/II ratio ≤ 3.0 before eradication. Follow-up involved serum PG measurement and gastroscopy with a rapid urease test annually.Results: In all, 327 patients were eligible for study inclusion. Compared to those before H. pylori eradication, serum PG I (74.9 vs. 44.3 ng/mL, p < .001) and PG II (25.4 vs. 9.1 ng/mL, p < .001) levels significantly decreased after successful eradication. In addition, there was a significant increase in serum PG I/II ratio after eradication (3.07 vs. 4.98, p < .001). In multivariate analyses, the following were independently associated with failed recovery of serum PG I/II ratio despite successful eradication: age ≥ 60 years (odds ratio [OR] = 0.231, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.084-0.629, p = .004) and severe gastric atrophy (OR = 0.156, 95% CI = 0.055-0.440, p < .001).Conclusions: Recovery of serum PG I/II ratio after H. pylori eradication may be achieved in H. pylori-infected patients aged <60 years without severe gastric atrophy.

Helicobacter pylori status and risks of metachronous recurrence after endoscopic resection of early gastric cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The impact of different Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) status (H. pylori negative, H. pylori eradication and H. pylori persistence) on the development of metachronous gastric lesions after endoscopic resection of early gastric cancer is not well defined. Thus, a systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to investigate this relationship. Two authors independently searched the electronic databases (Pubmed, Embase, the Cochrane Library and Web of Science) through March 2018, without language restriction. Pooled risk ratio for metachronous gastric lesions with regard to H. pylori status was calculated using fixed- or random-effects models, and heterogeneity and publication bias were also measured. 20 eligible studies were finally identified in systematic review, and 17 out of 20 studies were further included in meta-analysis. H. pylori eradication was associated with overall 50% lower odds of metachronous events (RR = 0.50; 95 % CI 0.41-0.61). Pooled risk ratios for metachronous gastric neoplasm were 0.85 (95 % CI 0.43-1.68) between H. pylori-eradicated and -negative patients, and 0.63 (95 % CI 0.35-1.12) between H. pylori-negative and -persistent patients, respectively. In conclusion, based on the best available evidence, eradication of H. pylori can provide protection against secondary gastric neoplasm, and this quantitative benefit seemed greater than among asymptomatic individuals. Metachronous risk seems comparable between H. pylori-eradicated and -negative population, or between H. pylori-negative and -persistent patients.

Diagnostic value of serum pepsinogen in gastric diseases

Serum pepsinogen can reflect the functional status of the gastric mucosa. The pathological changes of the gastric mucosa include chronic gastritis, gastric ulcer, atrophic gastritis, and gastric cancer, and the relationship between serum pepsinogen and gastric cancer/atrophic gastritis is the most prominent. Since the detection of serum pepsinogen is simple, inexpensive, time-saving, highly sensitive, and highly specific, it has attracted great attention from scholars and is regarded as "serological biopsy". In this paper, we discuss the value of serum pepsinogen in the diagnosis of gastric diseases.