Treatment of Ménétrier's Disease with a Monoclonal Antibody against the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor

Abstract

MEnEtrier's disease (hypoproteinemic hypertrophic gastropathy) is a rare, acquired, premalignant disorder of the stomach.1–4 It is characterized by giant hypertrophic folds that most often involve the fundus, excess mucus secretion, decreased acid secretion (hypochlorhydria), and hypoproteinemia due to selective loss of serum proteins across the gastric mucosa.5,6 The cause of Menetrier's disease is unknown, although infection with cytomegalovirus (CMV) in children and infection with Helicobacter pylori have been implicated.7,8 Symptoms include epigastric pain, vomiting, edema, anorexia, and weight loss. Gastric cancer has been reported at diagnosis or during follow-up in patients with hypertrophic gastropathy. Evidence of the . . .