2004-08-012024-05-13https://scholars.lib.ntu.edu.tw/handle/123456789/652263Malignant diseases are major killers worldwide; in difference from the Western Europe and US, gastric cancer is among the most frequent malignancies in Taiwan, Latvia and Lithuania. H.pylori infection is directly related to gastric cancer, and the progression to cancer mainly occurs through atrophic gastritis, caused by this bacteria. Atrophic gastritis is diagnosed by upper endoscopy and consecutive histological evaluation of multiple biopsy samples. New serological tests have been proposed for evaluation of atrophic gastritis, still there is little data available on the improvement of atrophic gastritis as diagnosed by these serological markers after successful eradication of H.pylori infection. Considering the common scope of the problem in all the participating countries, the necessity to grow the research resources in each of them as well as the potential of transferring the expertise between the participating canters, the objective of the project is to facilitate the collaboration and exchange the expertise between the scientists from Taiwan, Latvia and Lithuania with the goal to prevent and combat H.pylori and atrophic gastritis associated gastric cancer disease in these highly prevalent areas for the disease. The following 6 tasks of the project are set: 1) To validate the method of serological testing for atrophic gastritis (Gastro Panel) vs. gastric biopsy histopathology; 2) To standardize the histopathological reporting of gastritis biopsy specimens over the boarders; 3) To determine the functional and anatomical reconvalescence of atrophic gastritis after the eradication of H.pylori; 4) To acquire the clinical material and competences for future molecular biology research; 5) To facilitate young specialist involvement in medical research; 6) To increase the significance of the obtained research results by stimulating international co-operation. To achieve the set goals 100 H.pylori infected patients over the age of 50 presenting with dyspeptic symptoms, but without gastric cancer and ulcer disease will be examined in each of the study centres, i.e. in Taiwan, Latvia and Lithuania. Each of the patients will undergo serological GastroPanel testing (pepsinogen I and II, gastrin-17, H.pylori IgG antibodies) and upper endoscopy with standardized biopsy sampling and histological evaluation. H.pylori culture will be obtained for further research. Patients with atrophic gastritis will be included to the follow-up group; part of these patients will undergo H.pylori eradication therapy, while the other part – not. GastroPanel testing will be carried out in six month intervals during the year 2 and 3, follow-up histological evaluation of the gastric mucosa will take place during year 3. The serological appearance of atrophic gastritis will be compared to the histopathology results; the evolution of atrophic gastritis will take place either serologically or histologically. Important attention will be paid to the exchange of expertise and experience between the participants; The material gathered within the current project is planned to be used after the completion of the current project. The project is considered to be a step towards serological population screening in high prevalence H.pylori infection for early detection of gastric cancer and prevention of this cancer by eradicating H.pylori in gastritis patients.