Bowel cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer worldwide, and has long been linked to the growth of polyps in the colon. Early intervention to inhibit these polyps holds the potential to drastically reduce cancer incidence. Excitingly, the ongoing phase 2/3 COLO-PREVENT trial, led by the NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research) and the University of Leicester, is exploring whether simple, well-known substances like aspirin, metformin, and resveratrol can inhibit polyp growth and lower bowel cancer risk.
The trial could transform preventive healthcare by making use of natural compounds and everyday medications to provide a cost-effective, safe solution to an ongoing health challenge.
What Is the COLO-PREVENT Trial?
The COLO-PREVENT trial is a large-scale, multi-year research project designed to investigate whether common drugs and supplements can prevent the recurrence of bowel polyps and thus lower bowel cancer risk. This study targets individuals aged 50-73 who have had polyps detected and removed through the NHS Bowel Screening Programme. The aim is to enroll 1,300 participants to ensure a robust and statistically significant dataset. They will be split into two groups:
- Main Trial: Daily administration of aspirin or aspirin combined with metformin for three years.
- Sub-Study: Daily intake of purified resveratrol or a placebo for 12 months.
At the end of these periods, all participants will undergo colonoscopies to evaluate the presence and size of any new polyps.
Main Aims of the Trial
- To assess whether aspirin, metformin, or resveratrol can prevent the growth of new bowel polyps.
- To determine if these compounds are effective in reducing the size of any newly formed polyps.
- To provide a cost-effective, widely accessible prevention strategy for bowel cancer.
What Is Resveratrol?
Resveratrol is a powerful antioxidant commonly found in the skins of red grapes, red wine, and some berries. It has long been celebrated for its health benefits, including its potential to combat oxidative stress and inflammation.
Previous Findings
Professor Karen Brown from the University of Leicester has conducted groundbreaking research demonstrating that purified resveratrol can not only survive the acidic environment of the stomach to reach the bowel intact, but that it also exhibits tumour-slowing properties even at low doses.
These findings paved the way for resveratrol’s inclusion in the COLO-PREVENT trial, as researchers aim to validate its potential for inhibiting polyp growth and preventing bowel cancer.
Why Aspirin and Metformin?
Aspirin has been widely studied for its role in reducing cancer risk, particularly in colorectal cancer. Its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to inhibit platelet aggregation make it a strong candidate for reducing polyp recurrence.
Metformin, the common (and cheap) diabetic drug, has also previously been proven to reduce the number of bowel polyps.* Studies have shown that metformin can also improve overall survival and CRC-specific survival among patients with diabetes and CRC.
How the Trial Could Change Cancer Prevention
If the trial proves successful, these interventions could become a standard part of post-polyp removal care, offering a non-invasive, affordable and easily implementable strategy for the prevention of colorectal cancer.
The trial’s outcomes could also have worldwide implications, providing a model for integrating natural compounds and simple drugs into cancer prevention programs. These easy-to-follow treatments that patients can take at home, will improve compliance and accessibility.
The upcoming COLO-PREVENT trial is an exciting development in the fight against bowel cancer. It has the potential to revolutionise prevention through simple, cost-effective measures, whilst highlighting the power of natural compounds and familiar medications to combat one of the world’s deadliest cancers. We await the trial’s results with bated breath…
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