Prostaglandin therapy for peptic ulcer disease.
The demonstration of inhibition of acid secretion in man or cytoprotection in animals is not proof of efficacy in clinical disease. Indeed, there has been continued debate up to now as to whether any of our previous standard therapies for peptic ulcer disease did more than alleviate symptoms. The use of the fiberoptic endoscope to locate and measure ulcers precisely and evaluate the progress of ulcer healing may finally allow us to assess the efficacy of new therapy. Several endoscopically controlled studies abroad have found PG analogs to be effective in both gastric and duodenal ulcer disease. Clearly, well-controlled, large clinical trials are needed to assess the efficacy of these compounds when compared to placebo and other modes of therapy. A close watch must be kept to detect the possible development of toxicity or other unwanted effects. We are still at an early stage in the development of the specific PG molecule that will affect only the stomach and duodenum in a favorable way, while having no effect on other tissues. When we come close enough to this goal, a PG may be the drug of choice for peptic ulcer disease in man.
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D010437:Peptic Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011458:Prostaglandins E / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051381:Rats
D011453:Prostaglandins; D011458:Prostaglandins E