Biohit Oyj’s (GastroPanel®) biomarker test recommended as the first-line method for examination of gastric functions and risk conditions.
Biohit Oyj press release 17 February 2012 11:55 AM
The article published in the authoritative Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology was written by 16 gastroenterology specialists from 12 countries. The aim of this group of specialists is to develop the safety and cost-efficiency of the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases of the stomach through international co-operation (www.biohit.fi / GastroPanel biomarkers: Rationale in diagnosis and screening of atrophic gastritis with stomach-specific plasma biomarkers, Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology. 2012; 47: 136–147).
According to the article, the GastroPanel® biomarker test is a first-line examination to assess patients with stomach discomfort and can be performed in a doctor's office anywhere. The test provides the doctor with information when planning and performing gastroscopy in patients with stomach discomfort. With the help of the test, it is easy to diagnose and screen patients with atrophic gastritis (gastric anacidity) before gastroscopy and to find those who have a Helicobacter Pylori infection. Moreover, the test detects those patients whose gastric mucosa is very likely to be healthy and who are at a very low risk of having gastric cancer or a gastric ulcer. In these patients, gastroscopy is not the first-line or most important further examination. Reducing the need for gastroscopy examinations leads to significant cost savings.
In their publication, the authors provide practical guidelines for the interpretation of the results of the blood test. The GastroSoft® software developed by Biohit Oyj is used in the interpretation of the results. GastroSoft® is available to all doctors and laboratories that offer GastroPanel® tests. The GastroPanel innovation, based on pepsinogen I, pepsinogen II, gastrine 17 and H. Pylori antibody biomarkers, along with the related software, has been developed and patented by Biohit Oyj.
In addition, the authors state that acetaldehyde generated in an anchlorhydric stomach is a significant reason for gastric and oesophageal cancer risk associated with the condition. In the WHO classification issued in 2009, acetaldehyde is classified as a Group I carcinogen (cancer-causing agent) – a group which also includes substances such as asbestos, tobacco and benzene. Using the prophylactic Acetium capsules developed and patented by Biohit Oyj before meals and alcohol consumption substantially reduces the amount of acetaldehyde generated in the stomach and is thus very likely to reduce the risk of stomach and oesophagus cancer, particularly in patients that have an ancholhydric stomach caused by atrophic gastritis or the use of antacids.
Semi Korpela
President and CEO, Biohit Oyj
Tel. +358 9 773 861
Mobile: +358 40 573 7701 Semi.korpela@biohit.fi
Biohit HealthCare Innovating for Health Cancer Prevention
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Central Storage Facility (www.oam.fi)
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Further details:
The Taskforce for the HEALTHY STOMACH INITIATIVE, a group of 16 gastroenterology experts from 12 different countries, has published the following article:
Rationale in diagnosis and screening of atrophic gastritis with stomach-specific plasma biomarkers, Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology. 2012; 47: 136–147 (www.biohit.fi / GastroPanel biomarkers: “Rationale in diagnosis and screening of atrophic gastritis with stomach-specific plasma biomarkers”).
The group suggests using the GastroPanel biomarkers for diagnosing and screening for asymptomatic H. Pylori infections or atrophic gastritis caused by this infection or an autoimmune disease in patients suffering from gastric discomfort when it is not safe to use the 13C urea breath test for this purpose. In addition, the authors of the publication state that acetaldehyde generated in an anchlorhydric stomach is a significant reason for an increased risk of gastric and oesophageal cancer. Acetium capsules can reduce the amount of cancer-causing acetaldehyde generated in the stomach and are thus very likely to reduce the risk of cancer.
The state-of-the-art, safe and cost-effective GastroPanel examination does not involve any of the medical problems related with the tests described below, which may lead to malpractice and even unnecessary deaths caused by stomach cancer (www.biohit.fi/ “State of the art GastroPanel and Acetium innovations for the unmet need”).
The 13C urea breath test (UBT), stool antigen test and antibody tests alone do not detect atrophic gastritis which is caused by H. pylori infection or an autoimmune disease. The diagnosis of in most cases asymptomatic atrophic gastritis is important because of the associated risks, including gastric and oesophageal cancer and malabsorption of vitamin B12, iron, magnesium, calcium and some drugs. Calcium deficiency causes osteoporosis, and vitamin B12 deficiency can cause Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, depression and polyneuropathy, as well as high homocysteine content in the body, which in turn is thought to be an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis, heart attacks and strokes. The absorption of dipyridamole, some iron products and antifungals (fluconazole, itraconazole), thyroxine and atazanavir is considerably impaired in an anacidic stomach. Atrophic gastritis in the gastric corpus and PPI therapy cause anacidity (aclorhydria) of the stomach. The risk of pneumonias and, in senior citizens, even the risk of fatal intestinal infections (such as giardiasis, malaria, Clostridium difficile and E. coli EHEC) may increase significantly in an anacidic stomach. H. pylori gastritis may also develop into antral atrophic gastritis, which increases the risk of peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer. If both antrum and corpus mucosa are atrophic, this condition is the highest risk for gastric cancer known to date. Furthermore, none of the aforementioned three H. pylori tests provides any information on excessive gastric acid secretion, which in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease may cause complications of this disease. Such complications are often asymptomatic and include ulcerative oesophagitis and Barrett’s oesophagus, which may lead to oesophageal cancer if left untreated. In addition, the 13C urea breath test and stool antigen test may give up to 50 % false negative results if the patient has a) atrophic gastritis b) MALT lymphoma or c) bleeding peptic ulcer disease or d) if the patient is currently receiving antibiotics or PPI treatment.
Pasechnikov VD, Chukov SZ, Kotelevets SM, et al. Invasive and non-invasive diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori-associated atrophic gastritis: A comparative study, Scand J Gastroenterol 2005; 40;297–301:
Pasechnikov et al have made the following pertinent conclusions: ”The analysis of the literature data and results of our own research allow us to conclude that the serious medical and ethical problems of the “test and treat” strategy can be corrected simply and economically by replacing its 13C- urea breath test or stool antigen test by the GastroPanel examination. Talley et al. (2004) indicate that in many countries, such as Sweden and the US, the “test and treat” strategy alone is not considered sufficient. The H. pylori tests of the “test and treat” strategy does not find atrophic gastritis and related risks, such as gastric cancer and precancerous lesions, which should be confirmed by gastroscopy and biopsy specimen examination and would be successfully treated. Consequently, GastroPanel & gastroscopy and biopsy specimen examinations reveal patient with precancerous lesions and early stage gastric cancers, and, therefore, save people from unnecessary deaths because of gastric cancer.”
On the basis of the Finnish Setti study (Sipponen P, Härkönen M et al), it was estimated that 250 to 300 gastric cancer deaths among persons of age over 50 could be prevented in Finland each year. This could be achieved by screening of all elderly people and especially all suspected H. pylori positive patients for atrophic gastritis with GastroPanel. In risk patients, early gastric cancers and precancerous lesions can be found with a gastroscopy in asymptomatic and curable stage. In addition to the risk assessment of gastric cancer, the GastroPanel screening, diagnosing and check-ups produce a lot of additional, reliable and valuable information (see www.biohit.fi / “State of the art GastroPanel and Acetium innovations for the unmet need” Table).
The GastroPanel tests are available at private clinics such as Terveystalo or Diacor. These clinics are listed at www.biohit.fi / Laboratoriopalvelut / Kuluttaja. Patients who have been referred by a doctor (Pepsinogen I, Pepsinogen II, and Gastrin-17 concentrations and Helicobacter pylori antibodies in a blood sample) receive compensation from the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (KELA) for the GastroPanel biomarker tests. GastroPanel tests are also performed without a referral from a doctor at the Docrates hospital (www.docrates.fi /Terveys- ja Hyvinvointipalvelut / Vatsaongelmien testit) and at Biohit’s service laboratory. Please call to make an appointment, tel. +358 9 773 861.
ACETIUM is another innovation based on Finnish research that eliminates cancer-causing acetaldehyde in the body. The amino acid L-cysteine efficiently binds and inactivates acetaldehyde in the gastric juice. Acetium capsules release L-cysteine at a controlled rate in the stomach, where acetaldehyde is generated. Acetium is prescription-free and available at the pharmacy. Based on Acetium’s mechanism, the National Agency for Medicines has classified it as a medical device.
The indications for the unique Acetium capsules, which neutralize Group I carcinogen acetaldehyde in the stomach, during every main meal and alcohol consumption, are
1. anacidic or low-acid stomach due to atrophic gastritis (caused by H. pylori infection or autoimmune disease), which is diagnosed by the GastroPanel examination from a blood sample: over 500 million people in the world
2. untreated chronic H. pylori infection (diagnosed by GastroPanel): over 500 million people worldwide
3. long-term use of antacids (PPI medicines and H2 blockers): antacids are used by 5%-10% of the Western population and already by over 500,000 Finns.
4. resected stomach: over one million people or even much more in the world
5. genetic deficiency to metabolise acetaldehyde: About half of Orientals lack ALDH2 activity and it is estimated that 2-12% of them have anchlorhydric stomach
In the new classification issued by WHO (IARC, International Agency for Research on Cancer) in October 2009, Group I carcinogen (cancer-causing) acetaldehyde is in the same Group 1 risk category with substances such as asbestos, tobacco and benzene. The same ethical and legislative principle concerns all Group I carcinogens, regardless of their source. Exposure to them should be reduced as diligently as possible in the body and in food (www.acetium.fi/test reveals exposure to acetaldehyde).
About Biohit
Biohit Oyj is a globally operating Finnish biotechnology company established in 1988. Biohit's mission crystallizes in its motto “Innovating for Health”. The company assumes social responsibility by producing innovations, new technologies and analysis systems for use in medicine, research institutions and industry. These products help to promote research and diagnostics, while improving quality of life by preventing disease, human suffering and financial loss. Biohit also seeks to innovate and develop the marketing and availability of its products and services, in order to ensure its profitable growth and ability to pay dividends.
Biohit works with scientific communities to produce new technologies, products and services based on research results and innovations. These can be used to develop safe and cost-effective diagnostic tests for the early detection and prevention of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. (www.biohit.fi / International / State of the art GastroPanel and Acetium innovations for the unmet need and “GastroPanel biomarkers: Rationale in diagnosis and screening of atrophic gastritis with stomach-specific plasma biomarkers”).
Biohit's products include analysis systems for the prevention and early diagnosis of gastrointestinal diseases, such as the blood-sample based GastroPanel examinations for the diagnosis of stomach illnesses and associated risks, quick tests for the diagnosis of lactose intolerance and H. pylori infection in connection with gastroscopy, and the ColonView examination for the early detection of intestinal bleeding that indicates a risk of colorectal cancer. Acetium reduces the amount of carcinogenic acetaldehyde in an anacidic stomach. (www.acetium.com/test - reveals acetaldehyde exposure)
Biohit Oyj has sold its liquid handling business to Sartorius (www.biohit.fi / Investors / Stock exchange and press releases: 26/10/2011 18:53 Biohit decides to sell its liquid handling business to Sartorius Lab Holding GmbH). Using the funds acquired Biohit will focus on developing its diagnostics business (including diagnostic tests and examinations such as GastroPanel, and products that bind and neutralise the carcinogenic acetaldehyde such as the Acetium capsules) and the exploitation of its international market potential. At the first stage, the focus will be on strengthening sales and marketing resources and the international supply network. In addition, the company will be investing in the development of production technology and the development and commercialisation of new products based on the GastroPanel and Acetium innovations.
As the population grows older, the need for safe and affordable diagnostics and disease prevention will increase strongly. The public is also becoming more and more aware of the cancer-causing acetaldehyde and the risks it causes. This should significantly increase interest in the company and its products.
Biohit employs around 35 people. The company is headquartered in Helsinki, Finland and has a subsidiary in the UK. Since 1999, Biohit’s Series B share (BIOBV) has been quoted on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki in the Small cap/Healthcare group and is traded under the code BIOBV (www.biohit.fi).
Read more at www.biohit.fi