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.
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