Study: Drug May Help Reduce Incidence of Colon Cancer

A drug that has been effective in treating a rare bowel disease may also reduce the incidence of colon abnormalities that could lead to colorectal cancer, according to a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Researchers at the colonoscopic surveillance program at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington, examined 59 men and women who have both sclerosing cholangitis, a rare disorder that causes inflammation of the bile ducts in and around the liver, and ulcerative colitis, inflammation of the colon.

These patients face an unusually high risk of developing colorectal cancer. Past studies indicate that after 25 years of colitis, their risk increases to about 50%.

Although half of these patients who had used the drug did develop bowel abnormalities, 85% of those who did not develop abnormalities had taken ursodiol.

The researchers concluded, "we found a strong association between ursodiol use and a lower prevalence of colonic dysplasia [colon abnormality] in patients with ulcerative colitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis, one of the groups at highest risk for colorectal cancer."

This study provides "a compelling argument," the researchers wrote, for additional clinical trials using the drug ursodiol with other high risk groups.

Other Sources: Annals of Internal Medicine