H. pylori Treatment, Supplements Might Help Prevent Gastric Cancer

By Kelly Young

Edited by Susan Sadoughi, MD, and Richard Saitz, MD, MPH, FACP, DFASAM

Helicobacter pylori treatment and vitamin and garlic supplementation may lower risk for developing gastric cancer decades later, according to a study in The BMJ.

Nearly 2300 adults in China who were H. pylori-positive were randomized to H. pylori treatment (amoxicillin plus omeprazole) or placebo, with or without vitamins (C, E, selenium, beta-carotene), and with or without garlic extract/oil. Participants received the treatment for at least 2 weeks and the supplements for 7 years. Another 1100 who were seronegative but at high risk were randomized to supplements or placebo.

During 22 years' follow-up, 4% were diagnosed with gastric cancer and 3% died from gastric cancer (most often those who were positive for H. pylori at baseline). After multivariable adjustment, the amoxicillin plus omeprazole regimen was associated with lower gastric cancer risk (odds ratio, 0.48), as was vitamin supplementation (OR, 0.64). All interventions were associated with reduced disease-related mortality.

The authors note that garlic has antioxidative, antimicrobial, and immunomodulatory properties.