Trial Set to See if Vioxx Can Prevent Recurrence of Colon Growths

An international multi-center trial is underway to see if Vioxx can safely and effectively prevent the recurrence of pre-cancerous growths in the colon, according to researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute.

"Since adenomatous polyps play a significant role in the progression to colorectal cancer, it is critical to eliminate them in the early stages before cancer develops, or to prevent them from forming," said Dr. Robert E. Schoen, associate professor of medicine and epidemiology and director of the Colorectal and G.I. Cancer Prevention and Control Research at UPCI and lead investigator of the study.

Vioxx, manufactured by Merck & Company, is a drug approved for pain relief and arthritis. Recent studies suggest that drugs like Vioxx may be effective in preventing the recurrence of colon polyps.

Study participants will be at least 40 years old and have had an endoscopic colon exam with removal of an adenomatous polyp prior to the study. The participants will be randomized to treatment with either 25 mg. of Vioxx or a placebo. A colonoscopy will be performed after the first and third years to see if there has been any recurrence of the polyps.

"Ultimately, this research could lead to a therapy which would prevent colorectal cancer from developing," said Schoen.

Other sources: University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute