Hundreds of precancerous polyps on a resected colon

What if precancerous cells could be targeted for cell death without affecting healthy cells? A team of scientists led by Xiangwei Wu, Ph.D. at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center has done just that. A new combination drug is being studied that blocks precancerous polyps from developing into colon cancer. Experiments in mice and on cancerous human tissue showed a significant reduction in precancerous polyps. Since this new drug does not harm normal tissue and only targets precancerous cells, it can be taken periodically to prevent the development of colon cancer in people with familial adenomatous polyposis, an inherited colon caner that strikes people in their 30s.

The groups’ findings were recently released in the online version of Nature. Previous chemopreventive medications have to be taken continuosly exposing patients to possible long term side effects. This particular regimen can be taken short term and periodically.

The combination drug, Vitamin A acetate (RAc) and tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) kills precancerous polyps and blocks tumor growth in mice that were deficient in a tumor-suppressant gene. Separately, the drugs are ineffective but together they successfully suppressed 90% of precancerous polyps. Since only a small percentage of precancerous polyps will develop into cancer, this significantly reduces an individual’s chance of developing colon cancer.

Additional research will be conducted to determine side effects of the medication before human trials begin. If the drug lacks toxicity, it might be available to a broader population for use as a chemo-preventative agent.

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