Study: IBD Patients on 5-ASA Cut Risk of Colorectal Cancer

Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease who take their 5-ASA/mesalazine medicine regularly may lower the risk of developing colorectal cancer, according to British researchers.

Researchers say this discovery has the potential to significantly reduce the high rate of colorectal cancer among patients with either Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn's Disease.

"We are extremely encouraged by the new data that shows a positive correlation between long-term use of 5-ASA/mesalazine for maintenance of remission and a reduction in the risk of developing CRC in patients with IBD," said Prof. Michael Kamm of St. Mark's Hospital in London.

He said an analysis of data for almost 2,000 men and women aged 15 and over showed that those who complied fully with their 5-ASA treatment regiment were least likely to develop colon cancer, and those who complied completely with their 5-ASA treatment schedule had the same risk of colorectal cancer as the general public.

The anti-inflammatory 5-ASA family of drugs contains mesalazine, which researchers suspect may help protect against colon cancer by restoring, at least partially, the natural cell regeneration which is absent in malignant cancerous tumours.

Other Sources: St. Mark's Hospital