Serum progastrin and its products, gastric acid secretion and serum pepsinogen I in gastric cancer.
BACKGROUND
Numerous studies have shown an association between Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection and gastric cancer (GC).


METHODS
This study was designed to determine the role of cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA)-positive Hp infection, serum amidated gastrins and their precursor, progastrin, gastric acidity and serum pepsinogen I (PG-I) levels in gastric cancerogenesis in 74 cancer patients and in 77 age- and gender-matched controls. Serum IgG antibodies to Hp and CagA and levels of IL-8 and PG-I were measured by ELISA, while progastrin and amidated gastrin by specific radioimmunoassay.


RESULTS
The overall Hp and CagA seropositivity in GC patients were significantly higher (82 and 60%) than in matched controls (61 and 27%, respectively). Progastrin and amidated gastrin levels over their cutoff points (122 and 32 pM, respectively) were found in a significantly larger number of GC (59.4 and 44.5%) than in controls (9.0 and 16.8%, respectively). Histologically, all these GCs with increased serum progastrin and amidated gastrins were of intestinal type and showed CagA and Hp seropositivity. Serum IL-8 and gastric pH, above their cutoff points (pH >4.5), and serum PG-I level below its cutoff point (44.2 microg/l) were observed in a significantly higher number of GC patients as compared to controls.


CONCLUSIONS
(1) GC patients have higher Hp and CagA seroprevalence than matched controls, confirming that CagA-positive Hp infection is associated with higher risk of GC; (2) serum levels of amidated gastrins and their precursor, progastrin, as well as IL-8 are significantly higher, while serum PG-I levels are reduced in intestinal type GC compared to controls, and (3) determination of high serum progastrin, amidated gastrins and IL-8 combined with low serum PG-I may be useful biomarkers of GC.
Konturek
Stanislaw J
SJ
Department of Physiology, University College of Medicine, Cracow, Poland. mpkontur@cyf-kr.edu.pl
Konturek
Peter C
PC
Bielanski
W
W
Karczewska
Elzbieta
E
Zuchowicz
Monika
M
Hartwich
Artur
A
Rehfeld
Jens F
JF
Goetze
Jens P
JP
Hahn
Eckhart G
EG
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005744:Gastric Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D005755:Gastrins / Q000097:blood*; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006801:Humans; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D020116:Pepsinogen A / Q000097:blood*; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000097:blood*; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000503:physiopathology
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D005755:Gastrins; D016209:Interleukin-8; D011498:Protein Precursors; C080866:cagA protein, Helicobacter pylori; C013706:big gastrin; D020116:Pepsinogen A