New chemotherapy scheduling system gives patients more notice of appointments

By: The Canadian Press Posted: 06/27/2011 12:07 PM

VANCOUVER - B.C. cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy can expect to have their stress reduced — thanks to a new system that gives them ample notice before their treatments.

The Chemo SmartBook uses scheduling techniques similar to those in the airline industry, automatically assigning patients to nurses, alerting pharmacists of daily schedules and slashing wait lists.

Researchers at the University of B.C.’s Sauder School of Business and the BC Cancer Agency created and implemented the system that is replacing paper-based scheduling by clerks who had to consider various workloads and equipment availability.

The need for the system was first identified by Sauder School of Business Prof. Martin Puterman, whose wife was undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

He says many patients were being notified of their appointments as little as one day in advance, but now the number of patients who get less than a week’s notice has been cut by 58 per cent.

Chemo SmartBook, which recently won an award from the Health Employers’ Association of B.C., has been presented at various universities in the United States and researchers are hoping to extend its use across Canada and the U.S.

Did you know that being an Ashkenazy Jew means that you are at a higher risk of developing colon cancer?

The Shaar Shalom Times, June 2011

Did you know that being an Ashkenazy Jew means that you are at a higher risk of developing colon cancer?

Can you imagine being 30 years old and hearing the doctor inform you that you have colon cancer?

This is the story of Becky de Champlain. Becky is part of the young Halifax population that is breathing new life into Shaar Shalom. This beautiful and brave young lady has an important message to share with all of us, something that could possibly impact each one of our lives. Her message is loud and clear – take charge of your health and insist that you are screened for colon cancer. Becky was born and raised in Halifax with her sister Julie and her parents Alan and Marsha Pink. She went to McGill University to study nursing and graduated in 2002. She met her husband Andy in Montreal and at her urging, they both moved to Halifax to start their married life. They have a 3 year old son, Oliver, and in 2008 Becky joined the Shaar Shalom. She was thrilled to meet other young couples with similar family backgrounds, to create a brand new circle of friends, and to meet Cantor Isenberg who is also in the same age group as she is. Becky is trained as a paediatric nurse and she has worked at the IWK for 9 years. Andy teaches English as a Second Language at St. Mary’s University and he really enjoys living and raising a family in Halifax.

One day in February 2010 changed Becky’s life. Her doctor mistakenly checked off the ‘wrong box’ on a blood test form. After the test, the results showed an abnormally high reading. Becky followed up on these results and she was diagnosed with colon cancer. How surprising this was, since she had never felt sick and she had no symptoms and she was so young. She underwent surgery in February, followed by 6 months of chemotherapy and had more surgery this past January. Becky has high praise for the care that she received and she feels that the system worked very well for her. She started back at work a month ago and is working at the Emergency Room at the IWK.

Becky became involved with the Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada (CCAC) and they offered her extensive information and provided her with a ‘coach’ to help her through her surgery and chemotherapy. Because of the assistance she received, Becky is fully involved with the CCAC in fundraising and raising awareness about this disease. She would like to have everyone understand the risk factors that are involved and to encourage people to be screened for the disease. Her message is: colon cancer does not only affect the senior population, as is obvious from her case; colon cancer affects women almost as much as it affects men; you should not be embarrassed or uncomfortable talking to your doctor or going for tests; there is an increased risk of colon cancer for people of Jewish (Ashkenazy) descent, and of course, maintaining a healthy lifestyle (diet and exercise) is very important. She ascertains that the disease is completely preventable with proper screening and if caught early is 90% curable, but it remains the second leading cause of cancer death in Canada.

Becky does not consider herself a ‘spiritual’ person but she feels that everything happened to her ‘for a reason’. “I do feel a bit more spiritual in many ways. The Jewish and non Jewish communities of Halifax included me in their prayers, and made me feel connected to a greater spiritual entity. I think I am starting now to put this whole experience into the greater picture of my life and I can’t say right now what that will translate into.”

Becky credits her young son for helping her through the hard times. Since he was too young to understand that his mother was sick, he forced her to stay grounded. She also credits her husband and family and friends for their incredible support while she was battling her illness. Becky has plans for the immediate future – she is starting a Masters program in Nursing at Dalhousie University this fall. She is interested in the research side of things and she has a greater drive to accomplish and not to procrastinate.

At the time of this interview, Becky was training for the Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon 10 km race on Victoria Day weekend. There are 20 people on her team, including Shaar Shalom members Amy Shugar and Valerie Shapiro. Their ambitious goal is to raise $5000 for the CCAC. It is not too late to donate to this cause, and if anyone wishes to support Team Get Your Butt Seen Nova Scotia, follow this link or contact Becky at becky_pink@yahoo.ca or telephone 445-1860.

I asked Becky if she considered herself ‘a hero’ and she said that the term ‘hero’ makes her uncomfortable. “A hero sees a challenge and tackles it. I did not choose to do this. I am a much stronger person, more brave and courageous and stronger than I was. If others see me as a hero, that is their interpretation but I don’t see it as that. I never did feel sorry for myself. I am a paediatric nurse and have seen so many kids facing worse outcomes.”

What is a hero, if not someone who is brave and has overcome huge obstacles and is trying to make someone else’s life better in the process? That is what Becky is doing, reaching out to all of us to help us better understand what needs to be done to prevent colon cancer so that we do not have to go through the same experiences that she has had to face at such a young age.

Article by Sharon Waxman

Cancer Disease – 82% Of Canadians Found Closely Touched By Cancer

The Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada (CCAC) today announced findings from the Weighing Quality of Life in Cancer National Survey showing that an alarming 82 per cent of Canadians have been touched closely by cancer and have had a close friend or family member battle cancer, or have done so themselves.

“It is difficult to measure the impact of cancer on Canadians, but this survey is a start, as it tells us that the emotional burden of cancer reaches far beyond the actual prevalence rates,” said Barry Stein, President of the CCAC. “The Survey also reveals concerns around quality of life and access to treatments in the late-stages of cancer, which tells us that we need to focus our efforts to meet the needs of patients with terminal, end-of-life cancers, particularly where we see high mortality rates, such as colorectal and lung cancer,” added Stein.

Providing Quality of Life at End of Life

Based on 2009 incidence rates, 40 per cent of Canadian women and 45 per cent of men will develop cancer during their lifetimes and an estimated one-in-four Canadians is expected to die from cancer.1 These rates and today’s Survey data together indicate a need for greater emphasis on providing comfort and quality of life for terminal cancer patients.

Moreover, the Weighing Quality of Life in Cancer Survey demonstrates that Canadians want additional treatment options, even after a terminal cancer diagnosis. When asked what they would spend their time doing if they only had a few more weeks to live, in addition to spending more time with family and friends, 35 per cent of respondents said they would spend that time seeking options that may prolong life and prevent the cancer from progressing.

Canadians are not only concerned about their own health they are also compassionate towards others in need. Quality of life wishes extend to all close friends and family members. Not surprisingly, almost all (87 per cent) of Canadians feel that access to treatments that could prolong life for a few more weeks, with a good quality of life, would be valuable for their loved ones. This number remains high across all groups, even among those respondents without any close experiences with cancer in their lives.

Access to Care

The Weighing Quality of Life Survey determined that part of maintaining quality of life is also providing greater access to therapies that treat metastatic cancers (late-stage cancer). However, results show regional disparities in the confidence levels of Canadians regarding access to these therapies. More than half of Canadians believe that where you live in Canada impacts your quality of treatment when diagnosed with cancer. In fact, only four-in-10 Canadians indicate that they are very confident that their province is providing as much quality cancer treatment as other provinces in Canada.

The Survey also shows that Canadians are concerned about provincial drug coverage, as 82 per cent of Canadians believe that it is at least somewhat difficult to get access to the most current quality of life treatments from their province. When asked if Canadians would consider traveling outside their province for treatment, respondents indicated that they would prefer to seek cancer treatment in their home province. However, seven-in-10 Canadians indicated that they would travel out of province or country to seek treatment to extend their life by weeks or months.

“Providing access to quality treatments, especially during late stage cancer, should be a top priority for healthcare authorities across Canada,” said Dr. Scot Dowden, Medical Oncologist at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Calgary. “Comfort and quality of life are of utmost importance for patients and loved ones. It is important for medical professional and healthcare authorities to continue to weigh options for patients and make treatment decisions based on the personal needs and wishes of patients.”

Addressing the Needs of Patients with Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer has a significant impact on Canadians, affecting almost one-in-five or 17 per cent of Survey participants. “This is a burdensome type of cancer,” said Stein. “It spreads quickly, and unfortunately we see many patients proceed to the metastatic or terminal stage. While there is no cure currently available, there are treatments that can improve quality of life for patients with terminal colorectal cancer – patients and caregivers should speak with their physician about the best available treatment options during the final weeks of life.”

Colorectal cancer – cancer of the colon or rectum – is the second-leading cause of cancer death in Canada.2 Though highly preventable and curable when detected early, in 2010 it was estimated that 22,500 Canadians would be diagnosed with colorectal cancer and sadly 9,100 individuals would die of it.2 An almost equal number of men and women are affected by colorectal cancer.2 One-in-14 men and one-in-16 women are expected to develop the disease during their lifetime. One-in-27 men and one-in-31 women will die from it.2

Survey Methodology

Data collection and analysis were performed by CICIC, a full service marketing research firm based in Montreal. The survey was conducted online with a representative sample of 1,001 Canadians aged 18 and over, weighted to be representative by gender, age and region for Canada, between January 18th and January 19th, 2011. Respondents were recruited via a double opt-in panel. The Survey was issued by the CCAC and made possible through an unrestricted educational grant from AMGEN Canada.

1. Canadian Cancer Society. Accessed February 2011. http://www.cancer.ca/Canada-wide/About%20cancer/Cancer%20statistics/Stats%20at%20a%20glance/General%20cancer%20stats.aspx?sc_lang=en
2. Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada. Accessed February 2011. http://www.colorectal-cancer.ca/en/just-the-facts/colorectal/

About the CCAC

The Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada is the country’s leading non-profit association dedicated to increasing awareness and education of colorectal cancer, supporting patients, and advocating for primary prevention, provincial screening programs as well as equal and timely access to effective treatments to improve patient outcomes.

CONTACT: Collin Matanowitsch GCI Group (Canada) 416.486.7224 collin.matanowitsch@gcicanada.com

Colorectal Screening Strategy for Minority Women Tested

Offering colorectal cancer screening to low-income minority women during mammography visits can be an effective way to increase screening in this population, but a lack of medical insurance remains an important barrier for many women, according to a study published online Oct. 25 in Cancer.

TUESDAY, Oct. 26 (HealthDay News) — Offering colorectal cancer screening (CRCS) to low-income minority women during mammography visits can be an effective way to increase screening in this population, but a lack of medical insurance remains an important barrier for many women, according to a study published online Oct. 25 in Cancer.

Moshe Shike, M.D., of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, and colleagues offered screening to 2,616 women who came to the Breast Examination Center of Harlem, the hospital’s community outreach program serving the mostly black and Hispanic community in Harlem. Eligibility criteria included being at least 50 years of age without a history of CRC or screening within the past 10 years. The researchers assessed the interest of the women and the barriers to accepting the offer.

The researchers found that, overall, 2,005 eligible women (77 percent) who received the offer refused to participate in the study, and 611 (23 percent) agreed and were enrolled. There was high interest in screening even among those who declined to participate. Of those enrolled, 337 (55 percent) went on to have the colonoscopy, with 49 women (15 percent of those screened) found to have adenomatous polyps. The biggest barrier to screening was a lack of health insurance.

"Offering CRCS to minority women at the time of mammography and without a physician’s referral is an effective way to expand screening. Screening colonoscopy findings are similar to those in the general population. Alternatives to traditional medical insurance are needed for the uninsured," the authors write.

Whole-liver radiotherapy for end-stage colorectal cancer patients with massive liver metastases and advanced hepatic dysfunction

To investigate whether whole-liver radiotherapy (RT) is beneficial in end-stage colorectal cancer with massive liver metastases and severe hepatic dysfunction.

Methods: Between June 2004 and July 2008, 10 colorectal cancer patients, who exhibited a replacement of over three quarters of their normal liver by metastatic tumors and were of Child-Pugh class B or C in liver function with progressive disease after undergoing chemotherapy, underwent whole-liver RT. RT was administered using computed tomography-based three-dimensional planning and the median dose was 21 Gy (range, 21-30) in seven fractions.

Improvement in liver function tests, defined as a decrease in the levels within 1 month after RT, symptom palliation, toxicity, and overall survival were analyzed retrospectively.

Results: Levels of alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, aspartate transaminase, and alanine transaminase improved in 8, 6, 9, and all 10 patients, respectively, and the median reduction rates were 42%, 68%, 50%, and 57%, respectively. Serum carcinoembryonic antigen level decreased after RT in three of four assessable patients.

For all patients, pain levels decreased and acute toxicity consisted of nausea/vomiting of grade [less than or equal to] 2. Further chemotherapy became possible in four of 10 patients.

Mean survival after RT was 80 +/- 80 days (range, 20-289); mean survival for four patients who received post-RT chemotherapy was 143 +/- 100 days (range, 65-289), versus 38 +/- 16 days (range, 20-64) for the six patients who did not receive post-RT chemotherapy (p = 0.127).

Conclusions: Although limited by small case number, this study demonstrated a possible role of whole-liver RT in improving hepatic dysfunction and delaying mortality from hepatic failure for end-stage colorectal cancer patients with massive liver metastases. Further studies should be followed to confirm these findings.

Author: Seung-Gu YeoDae Yong KimTae Hyun KimSun Young KimYong Sang HongKyung Hae Jung Credits/Source: Radiation Oncology 2010, 5:97

Five lifestyle habits could cut colorectal cancers: study

As many as 23 per cent of colorectal cancer cases could be prevented if people consistently followed five healthy lifestyle recommendations, say researchers from Denmark.

The researchers, led by Helene Kirkegaard at the Institute for Cancer Epidemiology in Copenhagen, Denmark, studied data on 55,487 men and women aged between 50 and 64 who had not previously been diagnosed with cancer.

Participants filled in lifestyle questionnaires and the researchers then ranked the participants on a "healthy lifestyle index," using recommendations from the World Health Organization and other groups.

The recommendations included:

• not smoking
• doing at least 30 minutes a day of physical activity
• having no more than seven servings of alcohol a week for women, and 14 drinks a week for men
• having a waist circumference below 88 cm (35 inches) for women and 102 cm (40 inches) for men
• eating a healthy diet that includes dietary fibre, at least 600 grams (3 cups) of fruit and vegetables a day, and no more than 500 grams (just over one pound) of red and processed meat a week, and less than 30 per cent of total calories derived from fat

The patients were followed for nearly a decade, up to 2006. During that time, 678 people were diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

After analyzing how well the participants had kept to the five lifestyle recommendations, the researchers calculated that if all of them had followed even one extra guideline, around 13 per cent of colon cancer cases could have been prevented.

If all of them had followed all five, 23 per cent of cases could have been avoided, the researchers report in the British Medical Journal.

Only one per cent of the group scored the highest on the healthy lifestyle index, meaning that they consistently followed all of the healthy lifestyle recommendations.

The link between lifestyle and colorectal cancer was more pronounced in men than in women, the researchers found. They suggested the difference might be due to biological differences, or it may be because the women tended to overestimate the consumption of "desirable" food items more than men.

"Our study reveals the useful public health message that even modest differences in lifestyle might have a substantial impact on colorectal cancer risk and emphasises the importance of continuing vigorous efforts to convince people to follow the lifestyle recommendations," the authors conclude.

It is estimated that 22,500 new cases of colorectal cancer will be diagnosed in Canada in 2010. It’s the second leading cause of death from cancer in Canadian men and women combined, after lung cancer. (CTV)

Cetuximab improved survival in patients with colorectal cancer and KRAS mutation

Patients with chemotherapy-refractory colorectal cancer and p.G13D, a certain KRAS mutation, had better OS and PFS than patients with other mutated KRAS tumors.

“Recent retrospective correlative analyses of metastatic colorectal cancer trials indicate that patients with KRAS-mutated tumors do not benefit from the anti-epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibodies cetuximab (Erbitux, ImClone) and panitumumab,” the researchers said in a press release. They added that there are, however, indications that not all KRAS mutations are equal in their biological characteristics.

Therefore, researchers examined the association of p.G13D with outcome after treatment with cetuximab with or without chemotherapy in 579 patients with chemotherapy-refractory metastatic colorectal cancer treated between 2001 and 2008. Patients were from the following trials: CO.17, BOND, MABEL, EMR202600, EVEREST, BABEL or SAVAGE, or they received off-study treatment.

There were 571 patients who received any cetuximab-based treatment. OS was 7.6 months (95% CI, 5.7-20.5) in patients with p.G13D-mutated tumors vs. 5.7 months (95% CI, 4.9-6.8) in patients with other mutated KRAS tumors. PFS was longer in patients with p.G13D (4 months; 95% CI, 1.9-6.2) than in patients with other mutations (1.9 months; 95% CI, 1.8-2.8).

These findings remained significant in univariate analysis for OS (HR=0.52; 95% CI, 0.33-0.80) and PFS (HR=0.54; 95% CI, 0.36-0.81) and in multivariate analyses for OS (HR=0.50; 95% CI, 0.31-0.81) and PFS (HR=0.51; 95% CI, 0.32-0.81).

In adjusted analysis for interaction between any vs. no cetuximab treatment and p.G13D vs. other KRAS mutations, the HR was 0.30 (95% CI, 0.14-0.67) for OS and 0.47 (95% CI, 0.22-1.00) for PFS.

“Prospective randomized trials are needed before conclusions about potential beneficial effects of cetuximab in p.G13D-mutated chemotherapy-refractory metastatic colorectal cancer should be inferred,” the researchers wrote.

Tumor Location a Factor in Colorectal Cancer Mortality

By Jaimie Oh | October 28, 2010

A study published in Gastroenterology examined colorectal mortality among individuals undergoing colonoscopies compared to the general population, according to the study’s abstract.

The researchers identified individuals who had a colonoscopy as their first lower gastrointestinal endoscopy from April 1987 to Sept. 2007. Those patients were followed until March 2008, death or migration out of Manitoba, where the study was conducted.

Results showed that reductions in colorectal cancer mortality after colonoscopy varied by site of the cancer. While there was a 29 percent reduction in overall CRC mortality, there was a 47 percent reduction in mortality from distal CRC and no reduction in mortality from proximal CRC.

Read the "The Reduction in Colorectal Cancer Mortality After Colonoscopy Varies by Site of the Cancer" abstract.

Meta-Analysis Shows Reduced Colorectal Cancer Rates Among Statin Users

October 29, 2010 (San Antonio, Texas) — A meta-analysis of 22 studies involving more than 2.5 million participants indicates that the use of statin drugs is associated with a reduced risk for colon and rectal cancers.

The review, presented here at the American College of Gastroenterology 2010 Annual Scientific Meeting and Postgraduate Course, showed a significant reduction in risk for colorectal cancer (relative risk [RR], 0.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.84 - 0.93; n = 22). The results were consistent across study design, with case–control (RR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.86 - 0.94; n = 17) and cohort studies (RR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.84 - 0.93; n = 5) showing a statistically significant reduction in colorectal cancer.

"A number of studies have suggested that statin use is associated with a decrease in various cancers. However, a lot have shown inconsistencies in their results — it’s likely because the studies are small, but our meta-analysis of 22 studies pooled data on 2.5 million participants," said the study’s lead author, N. Jewel Samadder, MD, from the Department of Gastroenterology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

"The results showed statin use to be associated with a statistically significant reduced odds of colorectal cancer of roughly 12% among statin users," Dr. Samadder reported.

The meta-analysis was compiled with a comprehensive search for studies published by October 2009, and include those found in MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science databases, and abstracts of research presented at national gastrointestinal conferences.

Studies considered were either a case–control or cohort design and assessed exposure to statins and risk for colorectal cancer. They were evaluated for publication bias and heterogeneity.

The reduced colorectal cancer rate was consistently shown when the meta-analysis stratified studies to look at duration of use, from 6 months to 5 years, and the reduced rate was seen in colon and rectal cancer.

The association was virtually unchanged when the analysis was restricted to studies published in full (as opposed to abstracts) (RR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.79 - 0.94; n = 16).

The 8 studies that reported specifically on the risk for rectal cancer in statin users showed a trend toward reduced risk for rectal cancer in those exposed to statins (RR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.62 - 1.05).

Dr. Samadder said the effect was stronger (RR, 0.80) with lipophilic than with other statins.

"In stratifying by different types of studies — tumor size, duration of use, lipophilic use, etc. — we hypothesize that statins are associated with a moderate reduced risk of colon cancer," he said.

"The strategies to look for colon cancer or detect it early are currently colonoscopy and fecal occult blood testing; however, the holy grail remains chemoprevention, to try to prevent the occurrence of cancer altogether."

"We feel statins may have this chemopreventive potential. The next step should be to do randomized placebo-controlled trials to confirm if statins have an effect in reducing cancer."

Dr. Samadder said the National Cancer Institute is considering such studies, with rosuvastatin (Crestor, AstraZeneca) as the possible statin for evaluation.

He noted that one of the case–controlled studies in the meta-analysis was an evaluation of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Results showed that those with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis who had taken statins had lower rates of colorectal cancer.

"The study showed what we have seen before, which is a higher risk of colon cancer in those groups; however, the groups that used statins had a 70% reduction in their colon cancer risk [compared with] patients who didn’t use those drugs," Dr. Samadder said.

"That drives the argument that maybe statins are best used in patients at high risk of colon cancer, and maybe that’s the group [in whom] we should be using statins."

Gastroenterologist Lawrence J. Schiller, MD, from the Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, said that the results are intriguing, but a host of confounding factors need to be ruled out to prove the efficacy of statins in preventing colorectal cancer.

"This sort of meta-analysis is of interest, but will probably have little impact on clinical practice," he said. "The 12% relative risk reduction is modest and will likely not cause patients to go on statin drugs if they don’t have some other reason to take them."

"It is always possible that some confounding process is responsible for the association (e.g., patients put on statins die from heart disease before getting colon cancer). We’ll have to see what the full publication looks like."

Dr. Samadder and Dr. Schiller have disclosed no relevant financial relationships.

American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) 2010 Annual Scientific Meeting and Postgraduate Course: Poster abstract P1217. Presented October 19, 2010.

Healthy living may prevent 25% of colorectal cancers

As many as 23% of colorectal cancers could be prevented if people followed five simple healthy lifestyle recommendations, Danish researchers say.

The recommendations — which would improve overall health as well — include exercise, a good diet, moderate drinking, no smoking and maintaining a healthy weight, the researchers say.

"Even a modest difference in your lifestyle habits may have a substantial impact on your colorectal cancer risk," said lead researcher Dr. Anne Tjonneland of the Institute of Cancer Epidemiology of the Danish Cancer Society in Copenhagen.

Specifically, the recommendations are:

• At least 30 minutes of exercise a day.
• No more than seven drinks a week for women and 14 for men.
• Not smoking.
• Eating a healthful diet, defined as one high in fiber, with more than six servings (3 cups) a day of fruits and vegetables, and low in red meat and processed meat (no more than just over a pound a week), with less than 30% of total calories derived from fat.
• A waist size no more than 34.6 inches for women and 40.1 inches for men.

The report is published online in the Oct. 27 edition of the BMJ.

For the study, Tjonneland and colleagues examined data on 55,487 men and women ages 50 to 64, who had not been diagnosed with cancer.

All those in the study completed a lifestyle questionnaire, which asked about social factors, health status, reproductive factors and lifestyle habits. They also completed a food frequency questionnaire that detailed what they ate over 12 months.

During 10 years of follow-up, 678 people developed colorectal cancer.

If all the participants (except for the healthiest men and women) had adopted just one additional lifestyle recommendation, 13% of the colorectal cancer cases could have been avoided, the researchers found.

"For each additional lifestyle recommendation the participants followed, a reduction of 13% (in colorectal cancer) was shown," Tjonneland said.

And if all those in the study had followed all five lifestyle recommendations, then there would have been 23% fewer colorectal cancer cases, Tjonneland’s group found.

"The hope is that this is an understandable message leading to an impact in the prevention of colorectal cancer," she said.

Marji McCullough, strategic director of nutritional epidemiology at the American Cancer Society, said that "the study shows the importance of following cancer prevention guidelines for lifestyle."

Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States and the third leading cause of cancer death in men and women, she said.

"The majority of these cancers and deaths can be prevented by applying existing knowledge about cancer prevention, such as lifestyle and by increasing the use of established screening tests," McCullough said. "Colorectal cancer is a highly preventable cancer."

Dr. Floriano Marchetti, an assistant professor of clinical surgery in the division of colon and rectal surgery at the University of Miami’s Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, added that "this study confirms on a large scale what the impression of many other small studies have only hinted at."

"If you look at these lifestyle recommendations, they are not really horrible," he said. "This is not like people are asked to be on a strictly vegetarian diet or become triathletes."

And the benefit is linear, Marchetti pointed out.

"You modify something, and you already have a return with minimal investment. If you modify more, you have a better return," he said.

In another study in the same issue, Australian researchers found that people without a high school diploma who received information about colon cancer screening through a decision aid featuring an interactive booklet and DVD ended up more informed than those who received only standard screening information. However, the former group was less likely to get screened.

Although the decision aid did not encourage more people to undergo screening, at least it gave them the data they needed to make an informed choice, the researchers said.

Jekyll-Hyde microRNA binding variant linked to improved outcome in early-stage colorectal cancer

PHILADELPHIA — A variant site linked to poor outcome in advanced colorectal cancer has now been found to predict improved prognosis in early stages of cancer, according to research presented at the American Association for Cancer Research special conference on Colorectal Cancer: Biology to Therapy, held Oct. 27-30, 2010.

Researchers said they dont know why this variant site, a microRNA binding site that should allow appropriate regulation of the KRAS gene, exhibited a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde duality. Further study could show that patients with this miRNA variant might benefit from therapy early-on to forestall aggressive tumor behavior.

Our results suggested that patients with this variant have a good prognosis, but only in early stages. We need to make sure we identify them in an early stage before the cancer progresses, said lead researcher Kim M. Smits, Ph.D., a molecular biologist and epidemiologist in the GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology at Maastricht University Medical Center, in the Netherlands.

The binding site responds to a molecule that belongs to the lethal-7 (let-7) family of microRNAs that has been linked to control the KRAS gene, which, if unregulated or mutated, can lead to growth of colorectal cancers. But the G variant at this site has been shown to lead to poorly regulated KRAS because it does not allow appropriate binding of let-7 to the gene, thus leading to increased KRAS expression. The G variant has previously been associated with an increased risk of lung cancer in moderate smokers, increased risk of ovarian cancer, reduced survival among patients with oral cancers and reduced survival in late-stage colorectal cancer independent of KRAS mutations.

In this study, the researchers evaluated the effect the G variant had on early-stage colorectal cancer compared to the more common wild type T variant.

Researchers examined preserved tissue from 409 early-stage colorectal cancer patients who were part of the Netherlands Cohort Study from 1989 to 1994. Median survival was 7.6 years, but patients with the G variant had a 54 percent improved survival compared to patients with T variant. This survival benefit was enhanced if KRAS mutations were taken into account, Smits said.

None of the patients with a KRAS mutation and the T variant died, she said.

In later stages of the cancer, this survival advantage was reversed, which Smits said was unexpected.

You would intuitively think that the G variant would be associated with a poorer prognosis, as it is in late-stage colorectal cancer, but that is not the case, said Smits.

Smits believes that in patients with the G variant, KRAS control has been taken over by another, still unidentified pathway. These patients may be born with reduced KRAS control and I think the body has taken action on this, and another pathway controlling KRAS is overexpressed or activated to compensate for the imbalance.

This would explain why these patients have a good prognosis, even if KRAS has an activating mutation — KRAS is controlled by another pathway, she said. In late-stage patients, this alternative pathway might be impaired, thereby losing KRAS control.

###

The mission of the American Association for Cancer Research is to prevent and cure cancer. Founded in 1907, the AACR is the worlds oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research. The membership includes 32,000 basic, translational and clinical researchers; health care professionals; and cancer survivors and advocates in the United States and more than 90 other countries. The AACR marshals the full spectrum of expertise from the cancer community to accelerate progress in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer through high-quality scientific and educational programs. It funds innovative, meritorious research grants, research fellowships and career development awards. The AACR Annual Meeting attracts more than 18,000 participants who share the latest discoveries and developments in the field. Special conferences throughout the year present novel data across a wide variety of topics in cancer research, treatment and patient care. The AACR publishes six major peer-reviewed journals: Cancer Research; Clinical Cancer Research; Molecular Cancer Therapeutics; Molecular Cancer Research; Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention; and Cancer Prevention Research. The AACR also publishes CR, a magazine for cancer survivors and their families, patient advocates, physicians and scientists, providing a forum for sharing essential, evidence-based information and perspectives on progress in cancer research, survivorship and advocacy.

Information Source: EurekAlert!

Colorectal Cancer Screening in Blacks

Research has indicated that African-Americans are less likely than whites to be screened for colorectal cancer, and the disparity almost certainly contributes to higher mortality.

A new review of studies identifies effective strategies for improving the situation, but suggests that work remains to be done.

"We have seen some success in interventions, and shown that it’’s important to tailor approaches to African American individuals and to use multiple approaches, strategies, and communication media," said review author Barbara Powe, Ph.D.

The studies’’ lack of long term follow-up represents "a gap in research," however. "We need to learn to design interventions to create patterns of screening that could enhance screening for other cancers as well," said Powe, a registered nurse and director of Cancer Communication Science for the American Cancer Society.

The review, which appears in the November/December issue of the American Journal of Health Promotion, examined findings from 12 studies in which 116 to 2283 people participated, most of whom were African-American.

Screening promotion programs were most frequently offered in primary care health centers and community-based settings like churches and senior centers. Several programs added personal communication efforts like informational letters, mailed fecal blood testing kits and phone calls.

Most programs addressed problems in access, such as cost and transportation, and some aimed to enlist active participation from doctors and nurses, but these efforts were often not described in detail, Powe said. "If a patient sees his or her provider for non-emergency health problems, are we missing an opportunity to promote cancer screening?"

Combination of Serrated Polyps, Adenomas Increases Colorectal Cancer Risk

November 1, 2010 (San Antonio, Texas) — The presence of adenomas and advanced serrated polyps (ASP), including sessile serrated polyps and serrated adenomas, indicates an aggressive colorectal cancer phenotype. Patients with these coexistent adenomas are at high risk for synchronous advanced neoplasia, according to research presented here at the American College of Gastroenterology 2010 Annual Scientific Meeting and Postgraduate Course.

Serrated adenomas and sessile serrated polyps are each precursors of colorectal cancer, but because their molecular pathways are unique from adenomas, their association with advanced serrated polyps is not known.

In comparing 199 patients with ASP, 92 with coexistent ASP and adenomas, and 173 with adenomas only, Carol Burke, MD, gastroenterologist and director of the Center for Colon Polyps and Cancer Prevention at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Ohio, and colleagues found that those who coexpress ASP and adenomas have a particularly aggressive colorectal cancer phenotype.

Patients with coexistent ASP and adenomas had more polyps (n = 4) than those with ASP only (n = 2) and those with adenomas (n = 1) (P < .001); their ASPs were also larger (P = .007), and a greater percentage were more dysplastic, containing more sessile serrated polyps with low-grade dysplasia serrated adenomas than those with ASP only.

"There was a significant difference in the phenotypic expression of the number of adenomas in individuals who had sessile serrated polyps and adenomas [compared with those who had] adenomas only," said Dr. Burke.

"Virtually 43% of individuals in the combined cohort had 2 or more polyps, compared with only about 30% who had adenomas only," said Dr. Burke.

She noted that, in addition, a greater percentage of the adenomas in the ASP/adenoma cohort were more pathologically advanced (P = .056) than in the adenoma-only cohort.

Synchronous colorectal cancer was found exclusively in the ASP cohorts (3% in the ASP cohort and 4.4% in the ASP/adenoma cohort; P = 0.017); there was none in the adenoma cohort.

"The results indicate that individuals coexpressing [sessile serrated polyps] and adenomas have a more aggressive colorectal phenotype than individuals harboring only adenomas or [sessile serrated polyps]," Dr. Burke said.

"The adenomas are more numerous and pathologically advanced, and the [sessile serrated polyps] tend to be more numerous or significantly larger and twice as likely to harbor low-grade dysplasia."

"Synchronous colorectal cancer was meanwhile exclusively seen in our [sessile serrated polyps] cohorts; the prevalence was 3% in the [sessile serrated polyps]-only cohort, even though those individuals had a mean age of 57 years."

According to Charles J. Kahi, MD, assistant professor of clinical medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Indiana University School of Medicine, in Indianapolis, the study offers important new insights into the role of polyps and adenomas and the underlying mechanisms behind colorectal cancer.

"This is an important study from a national expert. Until recently, our understanding was that the majority of colorectal cancers arose from adenomas; however, more recent evidence points to the importance of the serrated neoplasia pathway, which is estimated to be responsible for 15% to 20% of all colon cancers and a majority of interval colon cancers (those that are detected soon after colonoscopy)," said Dr. Kahi.

"The study shows that the presence of serrated polyps and adenomas is more significant than either one alone, and confirms the clinical importance of advanced subtypes of serrated polyps," he said.

"Serrated polyps are frequently located in the proximal colon and may be more difficult to visualize during colonoscopy. Thus, improved detection and awareness of their neoplastic potential are crucial components of effective screening and postpolypectomy surveillance," Dr. Kahi emphasized.

Dr. Burke and Dr. Kahi have disclosed no relevant financial relationships.

American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) 2010 Annual Scientific Meeting and Postgraduate Course: Abstract 17. Presented October 18, 2010.

Untitled

By Dr. Terry Gaff Sunday, 31 October 2010 00:00

Some of the topics I choose are very personal to me because they are not just about the people I see when I am working, they are about the people I see every day and they are about me.

Living a healthy lifestyle is about all of us giving ourselves the chance to be strong and healthy. But it is not always clear what is included in a healthy lifestyle.

Some of the factors were studied in middle-aged people in Denmark regarding colorectal cancer. They showed that nearly a quarter of colorectal cancer cases could be prevented with a healthy lifestyle.

In one of the first studies on the impact of multiple healthy behaviors, five factors (physical activity, waist circumference, smoking, alcohol intake, and diet) were assessed. They found that even modest differences in lifestyle might have a significant impact on colorectal cancer risk for the 55,487 participants in the Diet, Cancer and Health Cohort Study.

The researchers created a healthy lifestyle index using internationally accepted public health recommendations. Amazingly, most of the participants followed four of the five factors contributing to a health lifestyle:

•82 percent for exercise (being physically active for at least 30 minutes a day)

•76 percent had a waist circumference below 35 inches for women and 40 inches for men

•64 percent were nonsmokers (56 percent had never smoked)

•59 percent had alcohol intake of fewer than seven drinks a week for women, and fewer than 14 drinks a week for men

•However, only 2 percent of participants followed a diet that included eating at least 21 ounces of fruit and vegetables daily, eating 17.6 ounces or less of red and processed meat a week, as well as eating adequate dietary fiber and getting less than a third of their total energy from fat.

The risk for colorectal cancer correlated to the lifestyle index such that the more recommendations that were followed, the lower the risk for colorectal cancer.

The researchers estimated that if all participants had followed merely one additional recommendation, as much as 13 percent of the cases of colorectal cancer might have been prevented.

In addition to lifestyle, some treatments, including medications and surgery, have been found to reduce the risk of precancerous polyps or colon cancer. However, not enough evidence exists to recommend these medications to people who have an average risk of colon cancer.

If you have an increased risk of colon cancer, you might discuss the benefits and risks of these preventive treatments with your doctor:

•Aspirin. Some evidence links a reduced risk of polyps and colon cancer to regular aspirin use. You may be able to reduce your risk of colon cancer by taking large doses of aspirin over a long period of time. However, using aspirin in this way is likely to cause side effects, such as gastrointestinal bleeding and ulcers.

•Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) other than aspirin. This class of pain-relief medications includes drugs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, others). Like aspirin, side effects include ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding and some NSAIDs have been linked to an increased risk of heart problems.

•Celecoxib (Celebrex). Celecoxib and other drugs known as COX-2 inhibitors work similarly to NSAIDs to provide pain relief. They may reduce the risk of precancerous polyps in people who have been diagnosed with these polyps in the past. But COX-2 drugs carry a risk of heart problems, including heart attack. Two COX-2 inhibitor drugs were removed from the market because of these risks.

•Surgery to prevent cancer. In cases of rare, inherited syndromes such as familial adenomatous polyposis or inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis, your doctor may recommend removal of your entire colon and rectum in order to prevent cancer from occurring in the future.

If you and your doctor cannot think of a reason why you would have a high risk of developing colon cancer, it is still a good idea to have regular colon cancer screening beginning at age 50. Talk about your options with your doctor, and together you can decide which tests are appropriate for you.

Those options for colon cancer screening might include the following:

• Yearly stool testing for blood
• Sigmoidoscopy every five years
• Double-contrast barium enema every five years
• Colonoscopy every 10 years
• Virtual colonoscopy (CT colonography) every five years

The best idea is to live a healthy life and prevent colorectal cancer. But if you are unlucky enough to develop this cancer, find it early and cure it.

Colorectal Cancer in Younger Patients

(Ivanhoe Newswire) — With 655,000 deaths worldwide per year from colorectal cancer, it is the fourth most common form of cancer in the United States. Although it generally occurs in patients 60 and up, younger patients have been known to develop the cancer with no family history of it, and until now, researchers have been bemused as to why this occurs. A recent study has uncovered a link involving telomeres and an increased risk for colorectal cancer in younger age groups that could help determine what forms of treatment may be necessary.

A telomere is a region of repetitive DNA at the end of a chromosome, which protects the end of the chromosome from deterioration – they’re similar to plastic coverings that are found on shoelaces. Telomeres shorten in part because of the end replication problem that is exhibited during DNA replication in eukaryotes only. Shortened telomeres have been associated with an increased risk of cancer development, according to Lisa A. Boardman, M.D., associate professor of medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.

Boardman and colleagues ventured out in hopes of finding evidence of biological aging in people who develop colorectal cancer at a young age. The ambitious team strived to determine what exactly caused these young patients to develop a disease that commonly occurs with people in their 60s and 70s.

"We anticipated that we would see some people who had young-onset colon cancer and shorter telomeres compared to people of the same age group who did not have cancer," which Boardman was quoted as saying.

Boardman was surprised, nonetheless, to find a group with long telomeres. "Even for people their age, their telomeres were longer than you’d expect for healthy people. This suggests that there may be two different mechanisms that affect telomere length and that set up susceptibility to cancer," she said.

The team of researchers carefully measured peripheral blood leukocyte length in 772 patients with diagnosis of microsatellite stable colorectal cancer. All patients participating in the study were both younger than 60 years of age at diagnosis and had no previous history of chemotherapy. This group’s telomere length was compared with 1,660 nonrelated, age-matched, healthy controls.

The results showed that patients with the longest telomeres – those patients in the 95th percentile of telomere length – were 30 percent more likely to develop colorectal cancer than those in the 50th percentile. Boardman added that the individuals with the shortest and the longest telomere lengths were at an increased risk for colorectal cancer.

In due course, there may be two specific groups of colorectal cancer in young-onset patients. The first involves telomere shortening, and this subset of young-onset colorectal cancer patients who have accelerated aging. The subsequent may be a distinct group of patients with longer telomeres.

Future studies will examine the telomere maintenance genes in the peripheral blood DNA. Researchers are currently in the process of comparing the telomere lengths in the peripheral blood DNA with that in the tumor. This is being done in an effort to determine if these subsets of patients with younger-onset colorectal cancer have tumors that are mechanistically distinct.

"It may be that if they truly go through different mechanisms in the development of cancer, then they may respond to different types of treatment and have a different molecular profile," concluded Boardman.

SOURCE: American Association For Cancer Research conference on Colorectal Cancer: Biology to Therapy, 27 – 30 October 2010

NSAIDs prevent colon cancer by causing stem cells to self-destruct

2010-11-02 16:50:00

Researchers have found that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) prevent colon cancer by triggering diseased stem cells to self-destruct.These findings by the researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI) and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine could lead to new strategies to protect people at high risk for the disease.

"Our study shows NSAIDs target stem cells that have accumulated mutations that could lead to cancer development, and initiate a biochemical pathway that makes those cells undergo programmed cell death, a process called apoptosis," Dr. Lin Zhang said.

The researchers studied mice that have a genetic defect similar to one that is present in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis, a condition that accounts for about 1 percent of all cases of colorectal cancer, and is typically present in non-hereditary colon cancer, too.

The study was reported in the early online version of this week’s Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. (ANI)

New article

According to a study conducted by researchers from the United Kingdom, small doses of insulin reduces the risk of heart attack and also decreases the chances of developing colon cancer.

Aspirin is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and is thought to decrease the risk colorectal cancer by a quarter, whereas the death rate of colon cancer reduces by a third after taking low doses of the same drug.

Previous studies have indicated that high doses of aspirin cut the risk of developing colon cancer as well as the growth of polyps that later on can develop into cancer.

But sometimes the high doses of the drug are dangerous for some people, as it can lead to excessive bleeding in stomach region.

Dr. Zhang, Associate Professor at the Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology said, "Our study shows NSAIDs target stem cells that have accumulated mutations that could lead to cancer development, and initiate a biochemical pathway that makes those cells undergo programmed cell death, a process called apoptosis".

Researchers did an analysis of earlier four studies including 14,033 people from the United Kingdom and Sweden.

Nearly 50% of the participants were taking low dose of aspirin for heart disease. After 18 years of follow-up study, it was found that 2.8% people developed colon cancer.

Colorectal cancer survival advantage in MUTYH-associated polyposis

Survival for colorectal cancer patients with MUTYH-associated polyposis was statistically significantly better than for patients with colorectal cancer from the general population, according to a recent study published online November 2 in The Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

People who inherit a mutation in the MUTYH gene have nearly a 100% risk for developing colon cancer at some point in their lifetimes. But it is unknown whether specific histological and molecular genetic features of cancer associated with this genotype influence tumor behavior and survival.

To determine whether patients with MUTYH-associated polyposis colorectal cancer had different survival rates than control colorectal cancer patients, Maartje Nielsen, M.D., of the Leiden University Medical Center, and colleagues, conducted a multicenter cohort study in Europe that included 147 patients with MUTYH-associated polyposis colorectal cancer and 272 population-based control patients with colorectal cancer. Control and study group patients were matched for country, stage, age and year at diagnosis, and cancer subsite.

The researchers found that survival of patients with MUTYH-associated polyposis colorectal cancer was statistically significantly better than for control patients with colorectal cancer. Their five-year survival rate was 78% compared with 63% for the control group. Survival benefit was higher among patients with stage I and II disease than for those with stage III and IV disease.

The researchers offer a speculation about the better survival rate among the patients with MUTYH-associated polyposis colorectal cancer, compared with the control patients: "A compromised base excision repair system could render MUTYH-associated polyposis colorectal cancer more immunogenic than sporadic colorectal cancers, which are characterized predominantly by chromosomal instability."

In an accompanying editorial, Henry T. Lynch, MD, and Stephen J. Lanspa, MD, of Creighton University, hypothesize that the cancer-causing mutations in MUTYH, as well as in the mismatch repair genes predisposing to Lynch syndrome, are the causal factors for their respective survival advantages. Furthermore, they write, "the ultimate understanding of the pathogenetic pathways elicited by these respective mutations may serve as models for studying both survival and increased virulence of hereditary and sporadic colorectal cancers."

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Contact:

Article: Maartje Nielsen, 01131715266036, M.Nielsen@lumc.nl

Editorial: N. Kathryn Clark, Public Relations Coordinator, Creighton University, 402-280-2864, kathrynclark@creighton.edu

Exact Sciences Awarded Federal Grant to Support Its Cancer Screening Product Development

MADISON, Wis., Nov 02, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Exact Sciences Corp. /quotes/comstock/15*!exas/quotes/nls/exas (EXAS 6.15, -0.10, -1.60%) today announced it has been awarded a $244,500 therapeutic discovery grant from the Internal Revenue Service to aid the company in its development of Cologuard(TM), an sDNA screening test aimed at detecting both colorectal cancers and pre-cancers. The Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Project was enacted as part of the health care reform legislation passed earlier this year. In order to qualify under the program’s guidelines, Exact Sciences had to show reasonable potential to produce a new therapy to prevent, detect or treat chronic or acute disease and conditions; reduce long-term health costs; or significantly advance the goal of curing cancer within a 30-year period.

More than 140,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer each year. Colorectal cancer is highly treatable if found early, but 40 percent of adults age 50 and older have not been screened as recommended.

The latest American Cancer Society colorectal cancer screening guidelines include the sDNA form of testing as a recommended screening option. The Cologuard sDNA test would work by detecting specific altered DNA sequences in cells that are shed into the stool from pre-cancerous or cancerous polyps. If a DNA abnormality is identified in a patient’s sample, a colonoscopy would be required to confirm the results.

Cologuard is an investigational device and is not available for sale in the United States. The company plans to begin its clinical trial next year.

About Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the United States. The National Cancer Institute estimates there will be about 142,000 new cases of colorectal cancer diagnosed in 2010 and that more than 51,000 people will die from colon and rectal cancer this year. The American Cancer Society recommends that all Americans start getting tested for the disease at age 50. However, many patients do not comply fully with current screening recommendations. In fact, 60 percent of patients today are diagnosed with colorectal cancer in the late stages, primarily because of poor screening compliance.

About Exact Sciences

Exact Sciences is a molecular diagnostics company focused on colorectal cancer. The company has exclusive intellectual property protecting its non-invasive, molecular screening technology for the detection of colorectal cancer. Stool-based DNA (sDNA) technology is included in the colorectal cancer screening guidelines of the American Cancer Society and the U.S. Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer. For more information, please visit the company’s website at www.exactsciences.com.

Certain statements made in this press contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended that are intended to be covered by the "safe harbor" created by those sections. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies and expectations, can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as "believe," "expect," "may," "will," "should," "could," "seek," "intend," "plan," "estimate," "anticipate" or other comparable terms. Forward-looking statements in this press release may address the following subjects among others: statements regarding the sufficiency of our capital resources, expected operating losses, expected license fee revenues, expected research and development expenses, expected general and administrative expenses and our expectations concerning our business strategy. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, as a result of various factors including those risks and uncertainties described in the Risk Factors and in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations sections of our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and our subsequently filed Quarterly Reports of Form 10-Q. We urge you to consider those risks and uncertainties in evaluating our forward-looking statements. We caution readers not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Except as otherwise required by the federal securities laws, we disclaim any obligation or undertaking to publicly release any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein (or elsewhere) to reflect any change in our expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

SOURCE: Exact Sciences Corp.

Exact Sciences Corp. Media Inquiries: Cara Tucker Office: 608-284-5735 Cell: 614-302-5622 ctucker@exactsciences.com

Black raspberries prevent colorectal cancer in mice

By Amanda Chan Updated 11/2/2010 2:47:29 PM ET

Compounds found in black raspberries are effective in preventing colorectal cancer tumors in mice, according to a new study.

The fruits contain compounds called anthocyanins, which give them their color, along with a host of other cancer-fighting vitamins, minerals and acids, said study researcher Gary Stoner, a professor at the College of Medicine at the Ohio State University.

"Due to the high levels of these compounds, the berries have high antioxidant activity," Stoner told MyHealthNewsDaily. He added that it makes them effective in destroying toxic free radicals in the body, which can damage DNA in cells.

If the same result is found in humans, the fruit could be used to help prevent colorectal cancer. Previous studies have found black raspberries – which are different from blackberries – to play a role in preventing esophageal, oral and skin cancers, he said.

Ripe results

Researchers genetically engineered two types of mice to test the benefits of black raspberries. One type was engineered to develop intestinal tumors, and the other type was engineered to have colitis, an inflammation of the large intestine that can lead to colorectal cancer.

For 12 weeks, all mice were fed a "high-risk" diet — which was high in fat and low in calcium and vitamin D — and some were also given a supplement, so 10 percent of their calories came from freeze-dried black raspberry powder.

Both types of mice that ate the black raspberry powder had fewer tumors than the mice not given the supplements.

Among mice engineered to have intestinal tumors, the growth of new tumors decreased by 45 percent, and the total number of tumors in the mice decreased by 60 percent, the study said. The black raspberries stopped tumors from developing by suppressing a protein that binds to the gene that the scientists genetically modified in the mice, the researchers said.

In the mice engineered to have the intestinal inflammation, new tumors and number of tumors were reduced by 50 percent, because the black raspberries worked to reduce inflammation, according to the study.

To get the equivalent of the supplements the researchers gave the mice, a human would have to eat four cups of fresh berries a day, said study researcher Dr. Wancai Yang, an assistant professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

That’s a lot for humans, but the animals used in the study were engineered to be susceptible to cancer. So for humans, "it is not necessary to eat so much fresh berries to have similar benefit of cancer prevention," he said.

Findings for fruit

Other berries, such as blueberries and strawberries, are also known to have cancer-preventing effects, but their effects are not as great as those of black raspberries, Yang said.

A 2001 study by Stoner in the journal Carcinogenesis found freeze-dried berries stopped the changes that take place cells and lead to cancer. The study used animal cells grown in lab dishes.

And two 2009 studies — one conducted in cells in lab dishes and one conducted in mice — found that compounds in black raspberries can prevent and stop proliferation of esophageal tumor cells. The studies were published in the journals Nutrition and Cancer and Cancer Prevention Research.

Because the black raspberries were shown to lower inflammation, it’s possible that they can also protect against other diseases, such as heart diseases, the researchers said.

The new study was published in the November issue of the journal Cancer Prevention Research. The work was funded by UIC and the National Cancer Institute.