Future developments in therapy: editorial

Current triple therapies are effective against H. pylori infection but the progression of antibiotic resistance and the challenge of re-treatment afte r initial failure demand that novel approaches are developed. Novel proton pump inhibitor-based combinations including rifabutin, furazolidine, or sec nidazole with another antibiotic have shown good efficacy in initial clinic al trials and deserve further study. Genetically-defined drugs, vaccines, p robiotics, and anti-adhesion compounds are under investigation. They may re present alternatives to anti biotic-based therapies in the more distant fut ure. Curr Opin Gastroenterol 16 (suppl 1):S1-S4 (C) 2000 Lippincott William s & Wilkins.