What role does Helicobacter pylori eradication play in gastric MALT and gastric MALT lymphoma?

TY - JOUR

T1 - What role does Helicobacter pylori eradication play in gastric MALT and gastric MALT lymphoma?

AU - Thiede, C

AU - Morgner, A

AU - Alpen, B

AU - Wündisch, T

AU - Herrmann, J

AU - Ritter, M

AU - Ehninger, G

AU - Stolte, M

AU - Bayerdörffer, E

AU - Neubauer, A

PY - 1997/12

Y1 - 1997/12

N2 - The concept of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) has been introduced to differentiate biological functions from behavior of nonnodal vs. nodal lymphoid tissues. Lymphomas arising from MALT also behave differently than typical nodal lymphomas. In contrast to other tissues, MALT in the stomach is almost exclusively a result of Helicobacter pylori infection. Thus, MALT is part of the host defense against the pathogen H. pylori. Consequently, lymphomas arising from gastric MALT may be a clonal evolution starting from the infection. In low-grade gastric MALT lymphoma, cure of the infection may induce complete histological remission in the majority of patients. Investigators have recently reported that complete remission rate is between 70% and 80%. In an extended analysis, we have treated 84 patients with low-grade gastric MALT lymphoma in stage El, using a dual regimen to eradicate H. pylori. Complete remission was observed in 68 (80%) patients; a partial remission was found in 4 patients. In contrast, 12 patients showed no change and were referred to alternative treatment. In patients in complete remission, a polymerase chain reaction assay for the rearranged immunoglobulin heavy-chain gene remained positive in many cases. Together with data from the literature, these data suggest that the majority of patients with low-grade gastric MALT lymphomas in stage El respond to eradication of H. pylori. Longer follow-up investigations are necessary to determine if remissions indicate a cure from the disease.

AB - The concept of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) has been introduced to differentiate biological functions from behavior of nonnodal vs. nodal lymphoid tissues. Lymphomas arising from MALT also behave differently than typical nodal lymphomas. In contrast to other tissues, MALT in the stomach is almost exclusively a result of Helicobacter pylori infection. Thus, MALT is part of the host defense against the pathogen H. pylori. Consequently, lymphomas arising from gastric MALT may be a clonal evolution starting from the infection. In low-grade gastric MALT lymphoma, cure of the infection may induce complete histological remission in the majority of patients. Investigators have recently reported that complete remission rate is between 70% and 80%. In an extended analysis, we have treated 84 patients with low-grade gastric MALT lymphoma in stage El, using a dual regimen to eradicate H. pylori. Complete remission was observed in 68 (80%) patients; a partial remission was found in 4 patients. In contrast, 12 patients showed no change and were referred to alternative treatment. In patients in complete remission, a polymerase chain reaction assay for the rearranged immunoglobulin heavy-chain gene remained positive in many cases. Together with data from the literature, these data suggest that the majority of patients with low-grade gastric MALT lymphomas in stage El respond to eradication of H. pylori. Longer follow-up investigations are necessary to determine if remissions indicate a cure from the disease.

KW - Gastric Mucosa

KW - Helicobacter Infections

KW - Helicobacter pylori

KW - Humans

KW - Lymphoid Tissue

KW - Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone

KW - Remission Induction

KW - Stomach Neoplasms

KW - Journal Article

KW - Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

KW - Review

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

C2 - 9394762

VL - 113

SP - S61-4

JO - GASTROENTEROLOGY

JF - GASTROENTEROLOGY

SN - 0016-5085

IS - 6 Suppl

ER -