Mineo Kudo

Possible role of Helicobacter pylori infection in early gastric cancer development.

Background. Gastric cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy in Japan. The possible relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and gastric cancer in Japan was evaluated.

Atrophic changes of gastric mucosa are caused by Helicobacter pylori infection rather than aging: studies in asymptomatic Japanese adults.

Background.The current study was designed to evaluate the effect of aging and Helicobacter pylori infection on the gastric mucosa in asymptomatic Japanese adults.

Efficacy of triple therapy with rabeprazole for Helicobacter pylori infection and CYP2C19 genetic polymorphism

Rabeprazole is a new, potent, proton pump inhibitor. The metabolism of rabeprazole is less dependent on CYP2C19 genetic polymorphism.

Long‐term Helicobacter pylori infection — from gastritis to gastric cancer

An analysis carried out in 1994 by the WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) resulted in Helicobacter pylori being designated as a Group 1 carcinogen and thus clearly having an association with the development of gastric cancer. In the case of H. pylori, the evaluation was made solely on the basis of epidemiological results. In Japan, in 1993, only 235,000 of the 60 million people with H. pylori had gastric cancer. This represents only 0.4% of the infected population. Each individual reacts in a unique way to H. pylori infection in terms of the inflammatory response. The probability of developing cancer will be determined by environmental factors such as diet, duration of or age at acquisition of H. pylori infection, the virulence of H. pylori strains, and host factors including genetic make-up.

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial of famotidine in patients with functional dyspepsia.

Background : Histamine 2‐receptor antagonists were used as a first therapy against functional dyspepsia. However, few clinical studies with famotidine for functional dyspepsia have been reported.

Phase II Study of Combined Treatment with Irinotecan and S-1 (IRIS) in Patients with Inoperable or Recurrent Advanced Colorectal Cancer (HGCSG0302)

Objectives: This phase II study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral fluoropyrimidine S-1 plus irinotecan (IRIS regimen) in patients with previously untreated metastatic colorectal cancer. Methods: The response rate was the primary endpoint. Safety, progression-free survival time, and median survival time were secondary endpoints. The subjects were untreated patients with inoperable advanced colorectal cancer. Irinotecan was administered at a dose of 100 mg/m2 (on days 1 and 15). S-1 (40 mg/m2) was administered for 2 weeks (on days 1 to 14) and followed by a 2-week rest. Results: Forty patients were enrolled. Four patients had grade 4 neutropenia, and six patients had grade 3 diarrhea. No other serious hematologic or nonhematologic adverse reactions occurred, and all patients received IRIS safely on an outpatient basis. The response rate was 52.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 36.1–68.5%). Median progression-free survival was 8.6 months (95% CI, 5.3–11.9), and median survival time was 23.4 months (95% CI, 15.9–30.8). Conclusions: IRIS produced a high response rate and could be given safely. IRIS may become a first-line treatment for inoperable or recurrent advanced colorectal cancer.

Increased cytokine production by gastric mucosa in patients with Helicobacter pylori infection

To determine the mechanisms of gastric mucosal injury associated with Helicobacter pylori infection, we investigated the contents of cytokines and inflammatory cell infiltration in the gastric mucosa. Ninety-six patients with dyspepsia were studied (58 gastric ulcer, 38 nonulcer dyspepsia). Of the 96 patients, 63 were infected with H. pylori as determined by microscopic examination with HE staining, culture of H. pylori, or the rapid urease test. Endoscopic biopsy specimens were obtained from both the antrum and the body to examine interleukin (IL)-8, IL-6, IL-1 beta, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha contents in the gastric mucosa by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Inflammatory cell infiltration was assessed according to the Sydney system. IL-8 content was enhanced in both the antral and body mucosa of the H. pylori-positive patients compared with the H. pylori-negative patients. Furthermore, IL-8 content correlated well with the infiltration of both mononuclear cells and polymorphonuclear cells. These results suggest that IL-8 plays important roles in the pathogenesis of gastric mucosal injury associated with H. pylori infection.

Phase II study of combined chemotherapy with irinotecan and S-1 (IRIS) plus bevacizumab in patients with inoperable recurrent or advanced colorectal cancer

Abstract Background. In Japan, a study comparing the effectiveness and safety of irinotecan plus S-1 (IRIS) with those of a combination of 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, and irinotecan (FOLFIRI) as second-line treatment in patients with advanced or recurrent colorectal cancer demonstrated that IRIS was non-inferior to FOLFIRI. We previously reported that IRIS is also effective as first-line treatment. Patients and methods. Eligibility criteria included inoperable recurrent colorectal cancer with a confirmed diagnosis of adenocarcinoma, age ≥20 years, and no history of prior chemotherapy. S-1 (40–60 mg twice daily) was given orally on Days 1 to 14, and irinotecan (100 mg/m2) and bevacizumab (5 mg/kg) were given intravenously on Days 1 and 15 of a 28-day cycle. The primary endpoint was safety. The secondary endpoints included overall response (OR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Results. A total of 52 eligible patients were enrolled from October 2007 through March 2009. In safety analysis, the incidences of grade 3 or 4 adverse reactions were as follows: neutropenia, 27%; hypertension, 21%; and diarrhea, 17%. The overall response rate was 57.7%. Median progression-free survival was 16.7 months. Conclusion. IRIS plus bevacizumab is a well-tolerated, highly effective chemotherapeutic regimen that is easy to administer.

Effects of lansoprazole plus amoxycillin on the cure of Helicobacter pylori infection in Japanese peptic ulcer patients

Aim: The effect of lansoprazole plus amoxycillin on curing Helicobacter pylori infection and peptic ulcer recurrence was evaluated.

Safety and efficacy of daclatasvir and asunaprevir in hepatitis C virus‐infected patients with renal impairment

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a risk factor for end‐stage renal disease, renal graft failure, and hemodialysis patient mortality. However, the efficacy of direct‐acting antiviral therapy for HCV‐infected patients with renal impairment is unclear. Additionally, the promising NS5B inhibitor sofosbuvir has not been recommended for patients with severe renal impairment. In this prospective, multicenter study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of daclatasvir and asunaprevir combination therapy, with a focus on patients with renal impairment.