The efficacy of keverprazan-based quadruple therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication: A phase III, randomised, double-blind, multicentre trial

INTRODUCTION: Keverprazan is a novel potassium-competitive acid blocker. The advantages of keverprazan as a potent acid suppressor in Helicobacter pylori eradication have not yet been demonstrated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of keverprazan as a component of bismuth quadruple therapy in H. pylori treatment. METHODS: Adult patients with H. pylori infection were enrolled and randomised to take keverprazan (KEV group)- or esomeprazole (ESO group)-quadruple therapy. The regimens contained keverprazan 20 mg or esomeprazole 20 mg, clarithromycin 500 mg, amoxicillin 1000 mg and bismuth potassium citrate 240 mg and were administered twice daily for 14 days. The primary endpoint was the H. pylori eradication rate at 4 weeks after treatment. RESULTS: The full analysis set showed that the H. pylori eradication rates were 87.8% (252/287) and 82.52% (236/286) for the KEV and ESO groups, respectively (difference: 5.29%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.55-11.18). Keverprazan was superior to esomeprazole in terms of eradication rate in the per protocol set (P=0.0382). The eradication rates for patients resistant or non-resistant to clarithromycin were both numerically higher in the KEV group than the ESO group (83.45% vs. 76.98% for clarithromycin-resistance; 92.31% vs. 88.16% for clarithromycin-non-resistance). The incidence of adverse events was similar in the KEV and ESO groups (76.31% vs. 77.62%), with most adverse events (>90%) being mild in severity. No TEAEs led to death in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Keverprazan 20 mg twice daily, used as a component of bismuth quadruple therapy, provided effective H. pylori eradication and was non-inferior to an esomeprazole-based regimen.