RUNX3 Methylation, Loss of RUNX3 Expression and Clinicopathologic Findings according to Helicobacter pylori CagA in Gastric Carcinoma / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Helicobacter pylori cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA) has been suggested to be involved in the inactivation of Runt-related transcription factor 3 (RUNX3), a known gastric carcinoma tumor suppressor gene. It remains unclear how H. pylori CagA initiates or maintains RUNX3 promoter methylation and inactivates its protein expression in gastric carcinoma. METHODS: RUNX3 promoter methylation status, RUNX3 expression, and H. pylori CagA were investigated in 76 sample pairs of gastric carcinoma tissue. The patients' medical records were reviewed. The association between RUNX3 methylation or loss of RUNX3 expression and clinicopathologic variables according to H. pylori CagA status were investigated. RESULTS: In gastric carcinoma patients with H. pylori CagA-positive infection, RUNX3 methylation did not show association with lymphatic invasion, venous invasion, and TNM stages. However RUNX3 methylation was observed more frequently in poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma and signet ring cell carcinoma (77.8% vs. 20.0%, p=0.023) in early stage. In gastric carcinoma patients with H. pylori CagA-positive infection, loss of RUNX3 expression did not show association with lymphatic invasion, venous invasion, and TNM stages. However loss of RUNX3 expression was observed more frequently in early gastric carcinoma than in advanced gastric carcinoma (84.2% vs. 75.0%, p=0.51), but this difference was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: In gastric carcinoma patients with H. pylori CagA-positive infection, RUNX3 methylation or loss of RUNX3 expression did not show correlation with lymphovascular invasion and TNM stages. In early gastric carcinoma patients with H. pylori CagA-positive infection, RUNX3 methylation was observed more in poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma and signet ring cell carcinoma.

Changes of Helicobacter pylori-Positive Peptic Ulcer Disease: Based on Data from a General Hospital / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The incidence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-positive ulcer appears to be decreasing recently in the Western countries, and this has been influenced by the epidemiologic changes of H. pylori infection. Therefore, we aimed to determine the trends for the frequency of H. pylori-positive peptic ulcer disease (PUD) during recent 7 years in Korea. METHODS: All 1,723 patients who had an endoscopic diagnosis of PUD from 1997 to 2003 were included in this study. H. pylori was considered present if the CLO test and/or the histology and the urea breath test were positive for H. pylori. RESULTS: H. pylori-positive ulcers were seen in 1,354/1,723 patients (78.6%). The positive rate of H. pylori infection in patients with PUD was 85.9% in 1997, 79.2% in 1999, 76.2% in 2001 and 73.1% in 2003, and this showed a decreasing annual trend (p<0.001). H. pylori-positive PUD was more prevalent in duodenal ulcer than in gastric ulcer, and in the patients who were aged person and male. During the recent 7 years, H. pylori- positive PUD has decreased in patients with duodenal ulcer, and especially for patients younger than 60 years and in the male group. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of H. pylori-positive PUD is possibly decreasing in the recent 7 years. Prospective, multicenter trial studies are necessary to confirm this trend and find out the cause.

A Case of Cronkhite-Canada Syndrome Showing Resolution with Helicobactor pylori Eradication and Omeprazole / 대한소화기학회지

We describe a 58-year-old woman who was incidentally found to have gastric and colonic polyposis, hypoalbuminemia, cutaneous hyperpigmentation and onychodystrophy (Cronkhite-Canada syndrome). Histology of polyps from the stomach showed features of juvenile or retention type (hamartomatous) polyps with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. The large pedunculated colonic polyps showed hamartomatous polyps with adenomatous component and polypectomy was performed. After the treatment with H. pylori eradication and omeprazole, the gastric polyposis, hypoalbuminemia and anemia regressed, and endoscopic polypectomy of gastric polyps were performed. After the continuous use of omeprazole for 14 months, the patient showed complete resolution of clinical features of Cronkhite-Canada syndome. The experience of this case suggests that eradication of H. pylori and proton pump inhibitor treatment might be considered in patients with gastric polyposis combined with Cronkhite-Canada syndome.