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DRESDEN, GERMANY. MALT lymphoma is a cancer of the mucosa-associated lymphoid
tissue (the tissue responsible for the production of lymphocytes and antibodies)
and is most often located in the gastrointestinal tract, particularly in the
stomach. More than 90 per cent of all gastric MALT lymphomas are found in
patients suffering from chronic Helicobacter pylori-associated
inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis). Researchers at the Technical
University of Dresden now report that gastric MALT lymphomas can be put into
remission by eradicating the underlying H. pylori infection. Their
clinical trial involved 50 patients with confirmed low-grade gastric MALT
lymphoma. The patients were treated for two weeks with amoxycillin, 750 mg
three times daily and omeprazole (Losec), 40 mg three times daily. This cured
the H. pylori infection in 48 of the 50 patients. The two remaining
patients were treated for an additional week with 800 mg/day of metronidazole,
500 mg/day of clarythromycin and 40 mg/day of omeprazole. After this all 50
patients had been cured of their infection. Examination of biopsy specimens
taken periodically after the completion of the treatment showed that 80 per cent
of the patients achieved a complete remission of their MALT lymphoma within an
average period of six months, four patients experienced partial remission and
six showed no improvement. Among the 40 patients who had shown complete
remission four relapsed within six to sixteen months. No relapses were observed
in patients once they had passed the 16-month (500 days) mark and nine patients
have now been followed for more than two years without relapse. The researchers
conclude that eradication of the underlying H. pylori infection in MALT
lymphoma patients can produce long-lasting remissions and possibly a complete
cure.
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