Stratifying the risk of lymph node metastasis in undifferentiated-type early gastric cancer

AIM:To study how lymph node metastasis(LNM) risk is stratified in undifferentiated-type early gastric cancer(undiff-EGC) dependent on combinations of risk factors.METHODS:Five hundred and sixty-seven cases with undiff-EGC undergoing gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy were examined retrospectively.Using clinicopathological factors of patient age,location,size,an endoscopic macroscopic tumor form,ulceration,depth,histology,lymphatic involvement(LI) and venous involvement(VI),LNM risk was examined and stratified by conventional statistical analysis and datamining analysis.RESULTS:LNM was positive in 44 of 567 cases(7.8%).Univariate analysis revealed > 2 cm,protrusion,submucosal(sm),mixed type,LI and VI as significant prognostic factors and > 2 cm and LI-positive were independent factors by multivariate analysis.In preoperatively evaluable factors excluding LVI,sm and > 2 cm were independent factors.According to the depth and size,cases were categorized into the low-risk group [m and ≤ 2 cm,0%(LNM incidence)],the moderaterisk group(m and > 2 cm,5.6%; and sm and ≤ 2 cm,6.0%),and the high-risk group(sm and > 2 cm,19.3%).On the other hand,LNM occurred in 1.4% in all LI-negative cases,greatly lower than 28.2% in all LI-positive cases,and LNM incidence was low in LInegative cases even in the moderate- and high-risk groups.CONCLUSION:LNM-related factors in undiff-EGC were depth and size preoperatively while those were LI and size postoperatively.Among these factors,LI was the most significantly correlated factor.

Efficacy and Tolerability of Second-Line Metronidazole Triple Therapy Using Vonoprazan for Helicobacter pylori Eradication in Japan—Comparative Study: Vonoprazan vs. Proton Pump Inhibitors

Aim: To investigate the efficacy and tolerability of second-line metronidazole triple therapy with vonoprazan (VPZ) for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of patients who experienced clarithromycin triple therapy failure and were treated with second-line (20 mg VPZ (n = 274)/30 mg lansoprazole (n = 323) or 10 mg rabeprazole (n = 141) twice daily, 750 mg amoxicillin twice daily, 250 mg metronidazole twice daily for 7 days) eradication therapies. Successful eradication rates were compared between two groups: those receiving VPZ and those receiving a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). Adverse events were also investigated. Results: Successful second-line eradication rates according to ITT analysis and PP analysis, respectively, were 79.9% and 92.4% for VPZ therapy and 83.6% and 93.3% for PPI therapy. There were no significant differences between treatment groups. The eradication rates in those who had received first-line VPZ therapy previously according to ITT and PP analysis were 75.2% and 88.1%, respectively;in contrast, values were 82.5% and 95.4%, respectively, for those who had received first-line PPI therapy previously. In second-line therapy, the overall adverse event rate for VPZ therapy was the same as for PPI therapy. Conclusions: The efficacy and tolerability of metronidazole-containing second-line triple therapy with VPZ or a PPI were equivalent.

Gastric Mucosal Atrophy Might Be Associated with the Efficacy of First-Line Therapy Using Vonoprazan for <i>Helicobacter pylori</i>

Aim: To investigate the factors related to the effect of eradication therapy with vonoprazan for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of H. pylori-positive patients who received first-line (40 mg vonoprazan/60 mg lansoprazole or 20 mg rabeprazole, 1500 mg amoxicillin, 400 mg clarithromycin, all 2/day for 7 days) (n = 4118). H. pylori eradication was assessed by the 13C-urea breath test with success defined as a result of H. pylori eradication therapy using vonoprazan was more effective than standard triple therapy with proton pump inhibitor. Gastric mucosal atrophy was associated with treatment success.