Objective We evaluated the safety and efficacy of vonoprazan-based amoxicillin and clarithromycin 7-day triple therapy (VAC) in comparison to proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-based (PAC) as a first-line treatment and vonoprazan-based amoxicillin and metronidazole 7-day triple therapy (VAM) in comparison to PPI-based (PAM) as a second-line treatment for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori in Japan. Methods We performed a non-randomized, multi-center, parallel-group study to compare first-line VAC to PAC and second-line VAM to PAM. A pre-planned subgroup analysis on CAM resistance was also performed. Safety was evaluated with an adverse effects questionnaire (AEQ), which was completed by patients during therapy. Results The first-line eradication rates (ER) in the intention-to-treat (ITT) and per protocol (PP) analyses were 84.9% (95% CI: 81.9-87.6%, n=623) and 86.4% (83.5-89.1%, n=612), respectively, for VAC and 78.8% (75.3-82.0%, n=608) and 79.4% (76.0-82.6%, n=603), respectively, for PAC. The ER of VAC was higher than that of PAC in the ITT (p=0.0061) and PP analyses (p=0.0013). The ERs for VAC in patients with CAM-resistant and CAM-susceptible bacteria were 73.2% (59.7-84.2%, n=56) and 88.9% (83.4-93.1%, n=180), respectively. PAC was associated with higher AEQ scores for diarrhea, nausea, headache, and general malaise. In the second-line ITT and PP analyses VAM achieved ERs of 80.5% (74.6-85.6%, n=216) and 82.4% (76.6-87.3%, n=211), respectively, while PAM achieved ERs of 81.5% (74.2-87.4%, n=146) and 82.1% (74.8-87.9%, n=145), respectively. No significant differences were observed in the ITT (p=0.89) or PP (p=1.0) analyses. Conclusion The ER of first-line VAC was higher than that of PAC, but still <90%. No difference was observed between second-line VAM and PAM. Vonoprazan-based triple therapy was safe and well tolerated.

AIMTo investigated the relationship between postoperative bleeding following gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and individual antithrombotic agents.METHODSA total of 2488 gastric neoplasms in 2148 consecutive patients treated between May 2001 and June 2016 were studied. The antithrombotic agents were categorized into antiplatelet agents, anticoagulants, and other antithrombotic agents, and we included combination therapies [e.g., dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT)]. The risk factors associated with post-ESD bleeding, namely, antithrombotic agents overall, individual antithrombotic agents, withdrawal or continuation of antithrombotic agents, and bleeding onset period (during the first six days or thereafter), were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analyses.RESULTSThe en bloc resection and complete curative resection rates were 99.2% and 91.9%, respectively. Postoperative bleeding occurred in 5.1% cases. Bleeding occurred in 10.3% of the patients administered antithrombotic agents. Being male (P = 0.007), specimen size (P < 0.001), and antithrombotic agent used (P < 0.001) were independent risk factors for postoperative bleeding. Heparin bridging therapy (HBT) (P = 0.002) and DAPT/multidrug combinations (P < 0.001) were independent risk factors associated with postoperative bleeding. The bleeding rate of the antithrombotic agent continuation group was significantly higher than that of the withdrawal group (P < 0.01). Bleeding within postoperative day (POD) 6 was significantly higher in warfarin (P = 0.015), and bleeding after POD 7 was significantly higher in DAPT/multidrug combinations (P = 0.007). No thromboembolic events were reported.CONCLUSIONWe must closely monitor patients administered HBT and DAPT/multidrug combinations after gastric ESD, particularly those administered multidrug combinations after discharge.

Background and Aim Endoscopic resection is feasible for superficial tumors in patients with ulcerative colitis; however, endoscopic resection options have not been evaluated comprehensively. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of endoscopic submucosal dissection and endoscopic mucosal resection, and decision making regarding endoscopic resection options for patients with ulcerative colitis. Methods Endoscopically treated tumors from patients with ulcerative colitis were analyzed retrospectively. We evaluated en bloc and R0 resection, adverse events, local tumor recurrence, and metachronous lesion occurrence rates. Results We examined 102 tumors (mean size, 12 mm; non‐polypoid, 55 tumors) from 74 patients with ulcerative colitis, of whom, 39 and 63 underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection and endoscopic mucosal resection, respectively. The R0 resection rate was significantly higher for endoscopic submucosal dissection (97%) than for endoscopic mucosal resection (80%) (P = 0.0015). For 11–20‐mm tumors, the R0 resection rate was significantly higher for endoscopic submucosal dissection (94%) than for endoscopic mucosal resection (55%) (P = 0.0027); the endoscopic submucosal dissection and endoscopic mucosal resection R0 rates did not differ for ≤ 10‐mm tumors. The non‐polypoid tumor R0 resection rates were significantly higher for endoscopic submucosal dissection (100%) than for endoscopic mucosal resection (65%) (P < 0.001) and did not differ regarding the polypoid tumor R0 resection rates (75% vs 86%, P = 0.49). Four patients experienced intraoperative perforation during endoscopic submucosal dissection. No local recurrences occurred. Metachronous high‐grade dysplasia occurred in three patients during surveillance. Conclusions In patients with ulcerative colitis, endoscopic submucosal dissection is suitable for ≥ 11‐mm and non‐polypoid tumors, whereas endoscopic mucosal resection is acceptable for ≤ 10‐mm tumors.

Background Vonoprazan affords more clinical benefits than proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) during the healing of gastroduodenal ulcers. However, it remains controversial whether vonoprazan is more effective than PPIs when used to heal artificial ulcers arising after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). Aim This study investigated the effects of vonoprazan compared with esomeprazole on the healing of post-ESD artificial ulcers. Methods Sixty patients who underwent gastric ESD between May 2015 and May 2017 were randomized to treatment with vonoprazan (V group) or esomeprazole (E group) for 8 weeks. Upper endoscopy was performed at 4 and 8 weeks after ESD, and drug effects were estimated based on the ulcer healing rates and shrinkage rates. Results Fifty-three patients were analyzed. The respective 4- and 8-week ulcer healing rates did not differ significantly between V and E groups (8.0 versus 11.5%, P = 0.669; 88.9 versus 84.6%, P = 0.420). Similarly, the respective 4- and 8-week ulcer shrinkage rates did not differ significantly between V and E groups (96.8 versus 97.5%, P = 0.656; 100 versus 100%, P = 0.257). Conclusion The healing of artificial ulcers after ESD did not differ using vonoprazan or esomeprazole. Both vonoprazan and esomeprazole were effective when used to promote artificial ulcer healing after ESD.

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