Operative link on gastritis assessment stage is an appropriate predictor of early gastric cancer

Endoscopic and histological risk stratification for gastric cancer using gastric intestinal metaplasia

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Intestinal metaplasia (IM) of the gastric mucosa is strongly associated with the risk of gastric cancer (GC). This study was performed to investigate the usefulness of endoscopic and histological risk stratification for GC using IM.

METHODS

This was a post-hoc analysis of a multicenter prospective study involving 10 Japanese facilities (UMINCTR000027023). The ridge/tubulovillous pattern, light blue crest (LBC), white opaque substance (WOS), endoscopic grading of gastric IM (EGGIM) score using non-magnifying image-enhanced endoscopy, and operative link on gastric IM assessment (OLGIM) were evaluated for their associations with GC risk in all patients.

RESULTS

In total, 380 patients (115 with GC and 265 without GC) were analyzed. The presence of an LBC (limited to antrum: odds ratio [OR] 2.4 [95% confidence interval 1.1-5.0], extended to corpus: OR 3.6 [2.1-6.3]), the presence of WOS (limited to antrum: OR 3.0 [1.7-5.3], extended to corpus: OR 4.2 [2.1-8.2]), and histological IM (limited to antrum: OR 3.2 [1.4-7.4], extended to corpus: OR 8.5 [4.5-16.0]) were significantly associated with GC risk. Additionally, the EGGIM score (5-8 points: OR 8.8 [4.4-16.0]) and OLGIM (stage III/IV: OR 12.5 [6.1-25.8]) were useful for stratification of GC risk. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve value for GC risk was 0.740 for OLGIM and 0.706 for EGGIM.

CONCLUSIONS

The LBC, WOS, EGGIM, and OLGIM were strongly associated with GC risk in Japanese patients. This finding can be useful for GC risk assessment in daily clinical practice.

Chronic active and atrophic gastritis as significant contributing factor to the development of gastric cystica profunda

Gastric cystica profunda (GCP) is an uncommon but underestimated gastric lesion. Its precancerous potential determines its significance. In addition to previous mucosa injury due to operations, biopsy or polypectomy, chronic active and atrophic gastritis may also lead to the development of GCPs. By carefully examining the stomach and taking biopsy samples from the susceptible regions, the stage of atrophy can be determined. Chronic atrophic gastritis is a risk factor for cancer evolvement and it can also contribute to GCPs formation. GCPs frequently occur close to early gastric cancers (EGCs) or EGC can arise from the cystic glands. Endoscopic resection is an effective and minimally invasive treatment in GCP.

Staging of operative link on gastritis assessment and operative link on gastric intestinal metaplasia systems for risk assessment of early gastric cancer: a case-control study

AIMS

Operative link on gastritis assessment (OLGA) and operative link on gastric intestinal metaplasia assessment (OLGIM) systems are histological staging systems of gastritis for gastric cancer (GC) risk estimation. Intermediate OLGA/OLGIM stages are of concern in a region with high incidence of GC. This study aimed to validate OLGA and OLGIM staging systems for early GC (EGC) in Chinese population.

METHODS

This single-centre, case-control study included 196 patients with EGC and 196 age-matched and sex-matched health screening control subjects. OLGA and OLGIM systems, and other clinical parameters were evaluated using logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

OLGA and OLGIM stages II/III/IV were more prevalent in patients with EGC than in the control subjects. Multivariable analysis revealed family history of GC, previous Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, OLGA stages II and III-IV, OLGIM stages II and III-IV as independent risk factors for EGC (ORs, 4.04, 1.87, 2.52, 6.79, 4.11 and 10.78, respectively). Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve on EGC risk estimation was improved for OLGIM compared with OLGA (0.78 vs 0.71, p<0.001). Autoantibody seropositivity of gastric mucosa was not associated with EGC risk stratified by H. pylori status.

CONCLUSIONS

Surveillance of intermediate-risk patients (OLGA/OLGIM II) should be emphasised in our region. The OLGIM may be preferred over the OLGA for EGC risk estimation.

Controlling Gastric Cancer in a World of Heterogeneous Risk

Gastric cancer (GC) is a leading cause of global mortality but also a cancer whose footprint is highly unequal. This review aims to define global disease epidemiology, critically appraise strategies of prevention and disease attenuation, and assess how these strategies could be applied to improve outcomes from GC in a world of variable risk and disease burden. Strategies of primary prevention focus on improving the detection and eradication of the main environmental risk factor, Helicobacter pylori. In certain countries of high incidence, endoscopic or radiographic screening of the asymptomatic general population has been adopted as a means of secondary prevention. By contrast, identification and targeted surveillance of individuals with precancerous lesions (such as intestinal metaplasia) is being increasingly embraced in nations of low incidence. This review also highlights existing knowledge gaps in GC prevention as well as the role of emerging technologies for early detection and risk stratification.

Chinese integrated guideline on the management of gastric precancerous conditions and lesions

The standardized diagnosis and management of gastric precancerous conditions and lesions are important to prevent gastric cancer. This guideline, created by 5 traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine associations, based on the current morbidity and diagnosis and treatment of gastric precancerous conditions and lesions, provides specific key points and strategies for diagnosis and treatment in the following five aspects: definition and epidemiology, diagnosis and stage, surveillance, treatment and efficacy evaluation. It is hoped that these aspects, assessed by integrating Western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine and involving multidisciplinary participation, will play a guiding role in clinical diagnosis and treatment and achieve effective secondary prevention of gastric cancer.

Risk of progression in patients with chronic atrophic gastritis: A retrospective study

Background

Chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) can progress to gastric cancer (GC) thus requiring endoscopic surveillance. Here, we analyze various aspects of CAG progression, time, and mucosal background, to guide reasonable surveillance.

Methods

CAG patients with three or more endoscopies from 2010–2021 were included. All cases were analyzed for rate and time of progression, and cases with operative link on gastritis assessment (OLGA) staging, operative link on gastric intestinal metaplasia assessment (OLGIM) staging, and Kimura-Takemoto classification were further analyzed. Additional investigation of guideline-defined low-risk patients by reviewing endoscopy in the short-term (1–2 years) after baseline identified several patients as high-risk.

Results

Ninety-seven (10.4%) of the 929 CAG patients progressed to low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (LGIN), high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HGIN), or GC, during the observation period of 36–129 months (median 53, IQR=24), including 75 (8.1%) cases of LGIN, eight (0.9%) of HGIN, and 14 (1.5%) of GC. Among 170 patients with OLGA/OLGIM at baseline, two (2/2, 100%) GC cases occurred in patients with OLGA/OLGIM III and IV. Of the 236 patients with Kimura-Takemoto classification at baseline, 5/7 (71.4%) cases of GC occurred in patients with C3–O3. Ten, 11, and 25 patients classified as low-risk on the European, British, and Chinese Guidelines, underwent additional endoscopy within 1–2 years, resulting in three (30.0%), four (36.4%), and eight (32.0%) patients being classified as high-risk on these guidelines, respectively.

Conclusion

A minority of CAG patients can progress to GC. OLGA/OLGIM III and IV staging are closely associated with progression. Disease-associated risk may be underestimated in one-third of patients classified as low-risk by initial endoscopy.

NOL6 Regulates the Proliferation and Apoptosis of Gastric Cancer Cells via Regulating TP53I3, CDK4 and MCM7 Expression

Background

Gastric cancer (GC) is a prevalent cancer with high mortality and strong invasiveness, and the entire regulatory networks of GC is still unclear.

Objective

The aim of this study was to explore the specific mechanism of the effect of nucleolar protein 6 (NOL6) on the proliferation and apoptosis of GC cells.

Methods

The human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line HGC-27 and AGS were cultured. qRT-PCR was used to verify the expression level of NOL6 in GC cells; MTT and EdU were used to test cell proliferation; TUNEL staining and Flow cytometry were used to detect cell apoptosis; The downstream genes and pathways following NOL6 knockdown were explored through the microarray assay and ingenuity pathway analysis, and the downstream genes were finally verified by qRT-PCR and Western blotting. The xenograft mice were used to investigate the effect of NOL6 on GC in vivo.

Results

TCGA data analysis showed that NOL6 expression level was higher in GC cells than adjacent normal cells. Over-expression of NOL6 increased proliferation and colony formation, and inhibited the apoptotic rate in AGS and HGC-27 cells, while NOL6 knockdown induced the opposite effects. Through microarray assay and IPA analysis, NOL6-related downstream genes and critical signaling pathways were found. And we verified the relationship between downstream genes and GC. Additionally, NOL6 knockdown could decrease the weight and volume of tumor in the mice.

Conclusion

NOL6 knockdown could inhibit cell proliferation and induce cell apoptosis of GC, suggesting that NOL6 may serve as a potential therapeutic target for treating GC.

Machine learning: A non-invasive prediction method for gastric cancer based on a survey of lifestyle behaviors

Gastric cancer remains an enormous threat to human health. It is extremely significant to make a clear diagnosis and timely treatment of gastrointestinal tumors. The traditional diagnosis method (endoscope, surgery, and pathological tissue extraction) of gastric cancer is usually invasive, expensive, and time-consuming. The machine learning method is fast and low-cost, which breaks through the limitations of the traditional methods as we can apply the machine learning method to diagnose gastric cancer. This work aims to construct a cheap, non-invasive, rapid, and high-precision gastric cancer diagnostic model using personal behavioral lifestyles and non-invasive characteristics. A retrospective study was implemented on 3,630 participants. The developed models (extreme gradient boosting, decision tree, random forest, and logistic regression) were evaluated by cross-validation and the generalization ability in our test set. We found that the model developed using fingerprints based on the extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) algorithm produced better results compared with the other models. The overall accuracy of which test set was 85.7%, AUC was 89.6%, sensitivity 78.7%, specificity 76.9%, and positive predictive values 73.8%, verifying that the proposed model has significant medical value and good application prospects.

Diagnostic Value of Serum Pepsinogen Levels for Screening Gastric Cancer and Atrophic Gastritis in Asymptomatic Individuals: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background

Pepsinogens (PGs) can be used for gastric cancer (GC) screening, but the cutoff levels vary among studies, and PG levels are influenced by numerous factors. The aim of this article is to examine the diagnostic value of PG levels and Helicobacter pylori (Hp) status for GC and atrophic gastritis screening in asymptomatic individuals undergoing health checkup in China.

Patients and Methods

This was a multicenter cross-sectional study of subjects who underwent health checkup from 10/2016 to 10/2018 at nine International Healthcare Centers in China. All participants underwent gastroscopy and pathological examination, serum PG, ¹³C-urea breath test, and/or Hp serological current infection marker rapid test, all on the same day. PG-related parameters were analyzed in different Hp subgroups and regions.

Results

The patients were grouped as non-atrophic (NAG, n = 1,590), mild to moderate atrophic (MAG, n = 273), severe atrophic (SAG, n = 49), and GC (n = 10). The serum PG levels in these groups decreased with increasing pathological severity. In the same pathological groups, PGI and PGII levels were higher in the Hp-positive subgroup, while PGR (PGI/PGII ratio) was lower (P < 0.05). The best cutoff values for atrophy diagnosis were PGI ≤73.1 ng/ml and PGR ≤9.8, for severe atrophy were PGI ≤63.9 ng/ml and PGR ≤9.09, and for GC was PGR ≤4.7 (all P < 0.05 and area under the curve >0.7). The cutoff points varied with Hp status and China regions.

Conclusion

Serum PG levels might be used for the screening of gastric atrophic gastritis lesions. The results suggest that different cutoff values should possibly be used in different Hp status groups and geographical regions, but it will have to be validated in future studies. Future studies should also examine the value of PG levels for GC detection.

Helicobacter pylori eradication: Exploring its impacts on the gastric mucosa

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infects approximately 50% of all humans globally. Persistent H. pylori infection causes multiple gastric and extragastric diseases, indicating the importance of early diagnosis and timely treatment. H. pylori eradication produces dramatic changes in the gastric mucosa, resulting in restored function. Consequently, to better understand the importance of H. pylori eradication and clarify the subsequent recovery of gastric mucosal functions after eradication, we summarize histological, endoscopic, and gastric microbiota changes to assess the therapeutic effects on the gastric mucosa.

Serum pepsinogen levels in different regions of China and its influencing factors: a multicenter cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study is to investigate the difference of serum pepsinogen (PG) baseline levels in different regions of China and its influencing factors.

METHODS

From October 2016 to October 2018, asymptomatic health checkup people who underwent nasal endoscopy in nine health management centers in different regions of China were collected. Lifestyle questionnaires were conducted, and serum PG and gastroscopy were performed. The differences in PG levels in baseline population (OLGA-0 grade) were studied according to geographical subregions of China. SPSS software was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

1922 patients were included in the final analysis. Compared with the non-atrophy (OLGA-0) group, PGR levels in atrophy group (OLGA-I to IV) were significantly decreased with the atrophy degree (p < 0.05). A total of 1590 baseline people (OLGA-0) were included in the study, including 254 from South China, 574 from East China, 210 from Southwest China, 332 from Northeast China, and 220 from Central/Northern China. There were significant differences in baseline PGI levels among the five regions (p < 0.05). The PGII levels were also different among the five regions, except for Central/Northern versus Southern China. PGR (PGI/PGII ratio) levels in Southern China were higher than other four regions. Further studies were conducted on the related factors that might affect the baseline PG level, which was affected by nationality, dietary habits, smoking, Helicobacter pylori infection and other related factors.

CONCLUSION

Influenced by many factors, the baseline PG levels are different in different regions of China. In the follow-up studies of PG cut-off value, different PG cut-off value based on region may be more effective in the screening of gastric cancer and precancerous lesions in China.

A retrospective study assessing the acceleration effect of type I Helicobacter pylori infection on the progress of atrophic gastritis

Based on the antibody typing classification, Helicobacter pylori infection can be divided into type I H. pylori infection and type II H. pylori infection. To observe the effects of different H. pylori infection types on the distribution of histopathological characteristics and the levels of three items of serum gastric function (PG I, PG II, G-17). 1175 cases from October 2018 to February 2020 were collected with ratio 1:2. All patients were performed with ¹⁴C-Urea breath test (¹⁴C-UBT), H. pylori antibody typing classification, three items of serum gastric function detection, painless gastroscopy, pathological examination, etc. According to H. pylori antibody typing classification, patients were divided into three groups: type I H. pylori infection group, type II H. pylori infection group and control group. Significant difference existed among type I H. pylori infection group, type II H. pylori infection group and control group in inflammation and activity (χ² = 165.43, 354.88, P all < 0.01). The proportion of three groups in OLGA staging had statistic difference (χ² = 67.99, P all < 0.01); Compared with type II H. pylori infection group and control group, the level of pepsinogen I, pepsinogen II, gastrin17 in type I H. pylori infection group increased, and PG I/PG II ratio (PG I/PG II ratio, PGR) decreased, which was statistically significant (χ² = 35.08, 166.24, 134.21, 141.19; P all < 0.01). Type I H. pylori infection worsened the severity of gastric mucosal inflammation and activity. H. pylori infection was prone to induce atrophy of gastric mucosa, while type I H. pylori infection played a key role in promoting the progress of atrophic gastritis and affected the level of serum gastric function. The study indicated that the eradication of H. pylori should be treated individually.

Gastric Cancer in BRCA1 Germline Mutation Carriers: Results of Endoscopic Screening and Molecular Analysis of Tumor Tissues

INTRODUCTION

There is some evidence suggesting a link between BRCA1/2 germline mutations and increased risk of gastric cancer.

METHODS

Endoscopic screening for stomach malignancies was performed in 120 BRCA1 mutation carriers in order to evaluate the probability of detecting the tumor disease.

RESULTS

No instances of gastric cancer were revealed at the first visit. The analysis of atrophic changes performed by OLGA (Operative Link for Gastritis Assessment) criteria revealed that OLGA stages I-IV alterations were observed in 26 of 41 (63%) subjects aged >50 years as compared to 29 of 79 (37%) in younger subjects (p = 0.007, χ2 test). One BRCA1 mutation carrier developed gastric cancer 4 years after the first visit for endoscopic examination. We performed next-generation sequencing analysis for this tumor and additional 4 archival gastric cancers obtained from BRCA1/2 mutation carriers. Somatic loss of the remaining BRCA1/2 allele was observed in 3 out of 5 tumors analyzed; all of these carcinomas, but none of the malignancies with the retained BRCA1/2 copy, showed chromosomal instability.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, these data justify further studies on the relationships between the BRCA1/2 and gastric cancer.

Gastric cancer screening in low incidence populations: Position statement of AEG, SEED and SEAP

This positioning document, sponsored by the Asociación Española de Gastroenterología, the Sociedad Española de Endoscopia Digestiva and the Sociedad Española de Anatomía Patológica, aims to establish recommendations for the screening of gastric cancer (GC) in low incidence populations, such as the Spanish. To establish the quality of the evidence and the levels of recommendation, we used the methodology based on the GRADE system (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation). We obtained a consensus among experts using a Delphi method. The document evaluates screening in the general population, individuals with relatives with GC and subjects with GC precursor lesions (GCPL). The goal of the interventions should be to reduce GC related mortality. We recommend the use of the OLGIM classification and determine the intestinal metaplasia (IM) subtype in the evaluation of GCPL. We do not recommend to establish endoscopic mass screening for GC or Helicobacter pylori. However, the document strongly recommends to treat H.pylori if the infection is detected, and the investigation and treatment in individuals with a family history of GC or with GCPL. Instead, we recommend against the use of serological tests to detect GCPL. Endoscopic screening is suggested only in individuals that meet familial GC criteria. As for individuals with GCPL, endoscopic surveillance is only suggested in extensive IM associated with additional risk factors (incomplete IM and/or a family history of GC), after resection of dysplastic lesions or in patients with dysplasia without visible lesion after a high quality gastroscopy with chromoendoscopy.

Endoscopic grading of gastric intestinal metaplasia on risk assessment for early gastric neoplasia: can we replace histology assessment also in the West?

OBJECTIVES

To assess the value of endoscopic grading of gastric intestinal metaplasia (EGGIM), operative link on gastritis assessment (OLGA) and operative link on gastric intestinal metaplasia (OLGIM) on risk stratification for early gastric neoplasia (EGN) and to investigate other factors possibly associated with its development.

DESIGN

Single centre, case-control study including 187 patients with EGN treated endoscopically and 187 age-matched and sex-matched control subjects. Individuals were classified according to EGGIM, OLGA and OLGIM systems. EGN risk according to gastritis stages and other clinical parameters was further evaluated.

RESULTS

More patients with EGN had EGGIM of ≥5 than control subjects (68.6% vs 13.3%, p<0.001). OLGA and OLGIM stages III/IV were more prevalent in patients with EGN than in control subjects (68% vs 11%, p<0.001, and 61% vs 3%, p<0.001, respectively). The three systems were the only parameters significantly related to the risk of EGN in multivariate analysis: for EGGIM 1-4 (adjusted OR (AOR) 12.9, 95% CI 1.4 to 118.6) and EGGIM 5-10 (AOR 21.2, 95% CI 5.0 to 90.2); for OLGA I/II (AOR 5.0, 95% CI 0.56 to 44.5) and OLGA III/IV (AOR 11.1, 95% CI 3.7 to 33.1); for OLGIM I/II (AOR 11.5, 95% CI 4.1 to 32.3) and OLGIM III/IV (AOR 16.0, 95% CI 7.6 to 33.4).

CONCLUSION

This study confirms the role of histological assessment as an independent risk factor for gastric cancer (GC), but it is the first study to show that an endoscopic classification of gastric intestinal metaplasia is highly associated with that outcome. After further prospective validation, this classification may be appropriate for GC risk stratification and may simplify every day practice by reducing the need for biopsies.

High frequency of gastric cancer precursor lesions in patients with gastric xanthelasma: a prospective case-control study

OBJECTIVE

An association of gastric cancer and precursor lesions with gastric xanthelasma has frequently been reported. However, the incidence of both gastric xanthelasma and gastric cancer precursor lesions increases with age. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency and characteristics of atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia in patients with gastric xanthelasma compared to controls.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Cases with gastric xanthelasma endoscopically and histopathologically were included in this prospective study. The patients included in the study were compared with age- and sex-matched controls in terms of the frequency and characteristics of atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia and cancer.

RESULTS

In a series of 1892 upper endoscopies, 108 patients (5.7%) were found to have gastric xanthelasma. The average age of the patients was 61.41 ± 11.43 years. Among the patients, 58 (53.7%) were male. The frequencies of atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia and gastric cancer in the xanthelasma group (n = 108) were 31.5, 68.5, 3.7 and 2.8%, respectively. The frequencies of atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia and gastric cancer in the control group (n = 183) were 11.5, 31.7, 0.5 and 0.5%, respectively. Compared to the control group, the frequency of these cancer precursor lesions and the prevalence of advanced stage based on operative link on gastritis intestinal metaplasia assessment were found to be higher in the xanthelasma group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Gastric xanthelasma is associated with an increased frequency of gastric precancerous lesions and should be considered an important marker.

HER2 Heterogeneity in Personalized Therapy of Gastro-Oesophageal Malignancies: An Overview by Different Methodologies

Human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2)-expression gastro-oesophageal adenocarcinomas (GEA) gained interest as an important target for therapy with trastuzumab. In the current review, we focused the current knowledge on HER2 status in dysplastic and neoplastic gastric conditions, analyzing the methodological procedures to identify HER2 expression/amplification, as well as the proposed scoring recommendations. One of the most relevant questions to evaluate the useful impact of HER2 status on therapeutic choice in GEAs is represented by the significant heterogeneity of HER2 protein and gene expression that may affect the targeted treatment selection. Future development of biotechnology will continue to evolve in order to offer more powerful detection systems for the assessment of HER2 status. Finally, liquid biopsy as well as mutation/amplification of several additional genes may furnish an early detection of secondary HER2 resistance mechanisms in GEAs with a better monitoring of the treatment response.

Gastric cancer prevention targeted on risk assessment: Gastritis OLGA staging

Gastric cancer (GC) ranks among the most lethal epithelial malignancies, and its striking mortality rate prompts a global prevention strategy. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) gastritis is the main GC promoter, and the 2014 Global Kyoto conference recognized H. pylori gastritis as a (treatable) infectious disease. It is therefore plausible that any large-scale intervention for H. pylori eradication would result in cleansing the world of the fifth cause of cancer-related death. Atrophic gastritis is the cancerization field in which GCs (both intestinal and diffuse histotypes) mainly develop. Discontinuing the inflammatory cascade triggered by H. pylori is tantamount to preventing GC. For patients (still infected or eradicated) who have already developed gastric atrophy, the severity/topography of the atrophic changes correlates with their cancer risk. Gastritis OLGA (Operative Link for Gastritis Assessment) staging consistently ranks the atrophy-associated cancer risk, providing a solid clinical/biological rationale for establishing patient-specific surveillance programs. By combining primary and secondary prevention strategies, gastric cancer is a preventable disease.

Surveillance of premalignant gastric lesions: a multicentre prospective cohort study from low incidence regions

OBJECTIVE

International guidelines recommend endoscopic surveillance of premalignant gastric lesions. However, the diagnostic yield and preventive effect require further study. We therefore aimed to assess the incidence of neoplastic progression and to assess the ability of various tests to identify patients most at risk for progression.

DESIGN

Patients from the Netherlands and Norway with a previous diagnosis of atrophic gastritis (AG), intestinal metaplasia (IM) or dysplasia were offered endoscopic surveillance. All histological specimens were assessed according to the updated Sydney classification and the operative link on gastric intestinal metaplasia (OLGIM) system. In addition, we measured serum pepsinogens (PG) and gastrin-17.

RESULTS

279 (mean age 57.9 years, SD 11.4, male/female 137/142) patients were included and underwent at least one surveillance endoscopy during follow-up. The mean follow-up time was 57 months (SD 36). Four subjects (1.4%) were diagnosed with high-grade adenoma/dysplasia or invasive neoplasia (ie, gastric cancer) during follow-up. Two of these patients were successfully treated with endoscopic submucosal dissection, while the other two underwent a total gastrectomy. Compared with patients with extended AG/IM (PGI/II≤3 and/or OGLIM stage III-IV), patients with limited AG/IM (PG I/II>3 and OLGIM stage 0-II) did not develop high-grade adenoma/dysplasia or invasive neoplasia during follow-up (p=0.02).

CONCLUSION

In a low gastric cancer incidence area, a surveillance programme can detect gastric cancer at an early curable stage with an overall risk of neoplastic progression of 0.3% per year. Use of serological markers in endoscopic surveillance programmes may improve risk stratification.

Gastritis staging in the endoscopic follow-up for the secondary prevention of gastric cancer: a 5-year prospective study of 1755 patients

OBJECTIVE

Operative link on gastritis assessment (OLGA) staging for gastritis ranks the risk for gastric cancer (GC) in progressive stages (0-IV). This prospective study aimed at quantifying the cancer risk associated with each gastritis stage.

DESIGN

A cohort of 1755 consecutive patients with dyspepsia underwent initial (T-0) oesophagogastroduodenoscopy with mapped gastric biopsies, OLGA staging and assessment of Helicobacter pylori infection. Patients were followed for 55 months (median); patients with stages II III and IV underwent a second endoscopy/restaging (T-1), and those with stages 0 and I were followed clinically and through in-depth clinical and record checking. Endpoints were OLGA stage at T-1 and development of gastric epithelial neoplasia.

RESULTS

At T-0, 77.6% of patients had stage 0, 14.4% stage I, 5.1% stage II, 2.1% stage III and 0.85% stage IV. H. pylori infection was detected in 603 patients at T-0 and successfully eradicated in 602 of them; 220 had a documented history of H. pylori eradication; and 932 were H. pylori naïve-negative. Incident neoplastic lesions (prevalence=0.4%; low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (IEN)=4; high-grade IEN=1; GC=2) developed exclusively in patients with stages III-IV. The risk for epithelial neoplasia was null in patients at stages 0, I and II (95% CI 0 to 0.4), 36.5 per 1000 person-years in patients at stage III (95% CI 13.7 to 97.4) and 63.1 per 1000 person-years in patients at stage IV (95% CI 20.3 to 195.6).

CONCLUSIONS

This prospective study confirms that OLGA staging reliably predicts the risk for development of gastric epithelial neoplasia. Although no neoplastic lesions arose in H. pylori-naïve patients, the H. pylori eradication in subjects with advanced stages (III-IV) did not abolish the risk for neoplastic progression.

Usefulness of OLGA and OLGIM system not only for intestinal type but also for diffuse type of gastric cancer, and no interaction among the gastric cancer risk factors

BACKGROUND

The operative link on gastric atrophy (OLGA) and operative link on gastric intestinal metaplasia (OLGIM) stages have been suggested for risk estimation of gastric cancer (GC). However, usefulness of OLGA/OLGIM systems in diffuse type of GC was not investigated so far. The aims of this study were to evaluate the OLGA/OLGIM systems in estimating the GC risk according to Lauren's classification and to investigate the interaction among the risk factors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The OLGA/OLGIM stages were evaluated in 1398 (765 control and 633 GC patients) who were prospectively enrolled in the Seoul National University Bundang Hospital. Synergistic interaction among the risk factors for GC was calculated using an additive model.

RESULTS

Among 387 intestinal-type GC patients, 71 (18.3%) were high-risk OLGA stages (III, IV) and 113 (29.2%) were high-risk OLGIM stages (III, IV). Of the 246 patients with diffuse-type GC, 36 (14.6%) were high-risk OLGA stages and 39 (15.9%) were high-risk OLGIM stages. Multivariable analysis revealed family history of GC, Helicobacter pylori infection, high-risk OLGA stages, and high-risk OLGIM stages as independent risk factors for GC regardless of histologic type (odds ratios [ORs] 1.78, 1.94, 2.63, and 3.18, respectively). There was no significant risk modification among the H. pylori infection, family history of GC, and high-risk OLGA/OLGIM stages.

CONCLUSION

High-risk OLGA/OLGIM stages are important prediction markers for GC regardless of H. pylori infection or family history of GC not only for the intestinal type but also for diffuse-type GC.

Assessment of Gastritis and Gastric Cancer Risk in the Chilean Population Using the OLGA System

Gastric cancer (GC) is the first cancer-related cause of death in Chile; however, no plan for GC early detection has been implemented in this country. The OLGA system characterizes gastritis from stages 0 to IV according to the risk of developing GC based on H. pylori infection, atrophy, metaplasia and GC. In this study, the performance of the OLGA system was evaluated in 485 Chilean patients receiving routine endoscopy to improve the detection of early GC or preneoplastic lesions. The results showed that OLGA scores, atrophy, metaplasia and GC increased significantly with age (p < 0.001). Conversely, H. pylori infection was higher in younger groups (p < 0.05). All gastric lesions were more frequent in men than women. The majority of patients with atrophy also had metaplasia (99%, p < 0.0001). Patients with H. pylori infection had more gastric atrophy and metaplasia than those without infection (p < 0.05). Of the 485 patients, 21 (4.3%) had GC, being 2.3 times more frequent among men than women and about 2/3 (14) were in OLGA stage ≥2. In addition, 19 (90%) GC patients had atrophy and 18 (85%) had metaplasia (p < 0.001). In conclusion, the OLGA system facilitated the evaluation of GC precursor lesions particularly in patients with an OLGA score > 2 between 45 and 56 years old, because this group showed atrophy and intestinal metaplasia more frequently. Therefore, biennial endoscopic surveillance of patients with an OLGA >2 can be an important health policy in Chile for diagnosing GC in its early stages and reducing mortality over the next two decades.

OLGA Gastritis Staging for the Prediction of Gastric Cancer Risk: A Long-term Follow-up Study of 7436 Patients

OBJECTIVES

Gastritis OLGA-staging ranks the risk for gastric cancer (GC) in progressive stages (0-IV). This long-term follow-up study quantifies the GC risk associated with each OLGA stage.

METHODS

Consecutive patients (7436) underwent esophagogastroscopy (T-0), with mapped gastric biopsies, OLGA staging, and H. pylori status assessment. Patients with neoplastic lesion (invasive or non-invasive) at the index endoscopy (and/or within 12 months) were excluded. All patients were followed-up (T-1) by combining different sources of clinical/pathological information (Regional Registries of: (i) esophagogastroduodenoscopies; (ii) pathology reports; (iii) cancer, (iv) mortality). The endpoint was histologically documented development of gastric epithelial neoplasia.

RESULTS

At T-0, the patients' distribution by OLGA stage was: Stage 0 = 80.8%; Stage I = 12.6%; Stage II = 4.3%; Stage III = 2.0%; Stage IV = 0.3%; H. pylori infection was detected in 25.9% of patients. At the end of the follow-up (mean/median = 6.3/6.6 years), 28 incident neoplasia were documented (overall prevalence = 0.60 per 10³/person-years; low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia = 17/28; high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia = 4/28; GC = 7/28). By OLGA stage at the enrollment, the rate of incident neoplasia was: Stage 0 = 1 case; rate/10³ person-years = 0.03; 95%CI: 0.004-0.19; Stage I = 2 cases; rate/10³ person-years = 0.34; 95%CI: 0.09-1.36; Stage II = 3 cases; rate/10³ person-years = 1.48; 95%CI: 0.48-4.58; Stage III = 17 cases; rate/10³ person-years = 19.1; 95%CI: 11.9-30.7; Stage IV = 5 cases; rate/10³ person-years = 41.2; 95%CI: 17.2-99.3. Multivariate analysis including gender, age, H. pylori status, and OLGA stage at enrollment only disclosed OLGA stage as predictor of neoplastic progression (OLGA stage III: HR = 712.4, 95%CI = 92.543-5484.5; OLGA stage IV: HR = 1450.7, 95%CI = 166.7-12626.0).

CONCLUSIONS

Among 7436 patients, OLGA stages at the enrollment correlated significantly with different risk for gastric neoplasia. Based on the obtained results, gastritis staging is a critical adjunct in endoscopy follow-up protocols aimed at GC secondary prevention.

Endoscopic Screening in Asian Countries Is Associated With Reduced Gastric Cancer Mortality: A Meta-analysis and Systematic Review

BACKGROUND & AIMS

It is not clear how endoscopic screening for gastric cancer affects incidence or mortality. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the relationship between endoscopic screening for gastric cancer and mortality and incidence.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic search of PubMed and EMBASE for published cohort and case-control studies of adults without gastric cancer who underwent endoscopic screening at least once that included a comparator and reported outcomes of mortality or incidence through March 8, 2018. Two investigators independently reviewed the included studies and extracted relevant data. The effect estimate of interest was the relative risk (RR). We used a random effects model to combine RRs and 95% confidence intervals (Cis).

RESULTS

Our final analysis included 6 cohort studies and 4 nested case-control studies comprising 342,013 individuals, all from Asia. The combined result (RR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.49-0.73) indicated that endoscopic screening was associated with a 40% RR reduction in gastric cancer mortality. We did not observe an association between endoscopic screening and incidence (RR, 1.14; 95% CI, 0.93-1.40). Subgroup analysis showed significant reductions in gastric cancer mortality after endoscopic screening compared with no screening (RR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.48-0.70) or radiographic screening (RR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.12-0.91). However, endoscopic screening did not significantly reduce mortality compared with expected deaths (RR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.38-1.16).

CONCLUSIONS

In a systematic review and meta-analysis, we found that endoscopic screening may reduce the risk of death from gastric cancer and not affect incidence in Asian countries. Population-based prospective cohort studies are warranted to confirm our findings.

The significance of OLGA and OLGIM staging systems in the risk assessment of gastric cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Despite extensive research on the criteria for the assessment of gastric cancer risk using the Operative Link on Gastritis Assessment (OLGA) and Operative Link on Gastritis/Intestinal-Metaplasia Assessment (OLGIM) systems, no comprehensive overview or systematic summary on their use is currently available.

AIM

To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of the OLGA and OLGIM staging systems in evaluating gastric cancer risk.

METHODS

We searched various databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, Medline, and Cochrane's library, for articles published before March 2017 on the association between OLGA/OLGIM stages and risk of gastric cancer. Statistical analysis was performed using RevMan 5.30 and Stata 14.0, with the odds ratio, risk ratio, and 95% confidence interval as the effect measures.

RESULTS

A meta-analysis of six case-control studies and two cohort studies, comprising 2700 subjects, was performed. The meta-analysis of prospective case-control studies demonstrated a significant association between the OLGA/OLGIM stages III/IV and gastric cancer. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) score reflected heterogeneity in the case-control studies on OLGA. Subgroup analysis of high-quality (NOS score ≥ 5) studies showed an association between OLGA stage III/IV and increased risk of gastric cancer; the association was also high in the remaining study with low NOS score. The association between higher stages of gastritis defined by OLGA and risk of gastric cancer was significant.

CONCLUSIONS

This correlation implies that close and frequent monitoring of such high-risk patients is necessary to facilitate timely diagnosis of gastric cancer.

The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection and other risk factors among Mongolian dyspeptic patients who have a high incidence and mortality rate of gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Mongolia has not only the second highest incidence rate but also the highest mortality rate for gastric cancer globally. In addition to gastric cancer, ulcerative disease complications are also life threatening; thus, investigating Helicobacter pylori infection and other risk factors is essential.

RESULTS

H.pylori infection was high in tested dyspeptic patients from all parts of Mongolia, with an overall infection rate of 80.0%. Logistic regression analysis showed that H. pylori infection was associated with gastritis (odds ratio; 9.0 ([95% confidence interval 5.0-16.2]); p < 0.0001). H. pylori infection (3.3 [2.0-5.4]; p < 0.0001) and > 40 years old (1.5 [1.0-2.0]; p < 0.02) were both associated with atrophy. However, > 40 years old (3.8 [2.4-6.0]; p < 0.0001) and high salt intakes (1.6 [1.0-2.3]; p < 0.02), but not H. pylori infection, were associated with intestinal metaplasia. Excessive amount of salt usage was dramatically higher in northern and western parts of Mongolia, where precancerous diseases, such as erosive esophagitis (for cardia cancer), severe atrophy, and intestinal metaplasia (for non-cardia cancer), were highly prevalent.

CONCLUSIONS

H. pylori infection was the major gastric health problem among the Mongolian population. In addition, environmental factors such as high salt intake worsened the clinical outcome. Therefore, a nationwide screening and eradication of H. pylori infection as well as salt-reducing measures should be implemented.