Sherri Patterson, B.S.

M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, in collaboration with St. Mark's Hospital in London, has just completed the first study of a novel drug that may prevent the formation of new colon polyps in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). FAP is an inherited disease characterized by the formation of hundreds to thousands of polyps or adenomas in the colon and rectum. In this country, FAP accounts for about 1% of all colorectal cancer and affects about 1 in every 8000 people.

Eighty-one people from the United States and England took part in the 6-month chemoprevention trial sponsored by the National Cancer Institute. Prior to beginning the study, each participant went through a

rigorous screening process including examinations of their colon and a portion of their small intestine, blood tests, quality of life questionnaires and genetic counseling. If the participant met the entrance criteria he/she would be given the test medication or placebo and instructions to take it twice each day for 180 days. This was conducted as a double-blind study in which neither the doctors nor the participants knew who was taking the drug or who was taking the placebo. During the course of the trial, each participant was contacted by the study nurse and completed several symptom assessments to determine how he or she was feeling. Additionally, participants returned to MD Anderson for routine blood and urine tests. At the conclusion of the study, all patients underwent a second colon examination.

Scientists from M. D. Anderson, St. Mark's Hospital, and Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN are now reviewing all of the data collected during the study, and should be able to make preliminary reports by mid 1999.

The concept of preventing colon cancer in high-risk individuals using by oral medication is exciting. Currently, patients with FAP have few treatment options and usually must have all or part of the colon removed. Meanwhile, health professionals from around the world, in hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and government organizations, continue to broaden their knowledge and focus their efforts on learning the cause of and preventing diseases such as FAP.

The results of this trial will appear in a future issue of this newsletter. For more information, please contact Sherri Patterson at (713)-745-4155.