SUBMITTED NEWS RELEASE
Saint Mary’s Center for Cancer will begin participation in a new clinical study sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The clinical trial seeks to evaluate the cholesterol drug, Rosuvastatin, (Crestor) as a treatment method to reduce the risk of colon cancer. The study, titled, “P-5: Statin Polyp Prevention Trial in Patients with Resected Colon Cancer,” is being conducted by a network of cancer research professionals and the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) at 200 medical centers located throughout North America, including Saint Mary’s.
“Saint Mary’s is dedicated to the health of our patients and our Center for Cancer is actively involved in the latest research and clinical trials,” said Suresh Reddy, MD, medical director of medical oncology at Saint Mary’s Center for Cancer. “Our participation in cancer research means we are continuing to seek treatment options and solutions to better manage our patient’s conditions.”
The P-5 study is based on laboratory research and studies conducted in large populations of patients who took statin drugs to reduce cholesterol. This clinical trial seeks to determine whether Crestor can help prevent formation of new polyps in those that have already developed and are being treated for colon cancer. More than 1,740 patients, who have recently been diagnosed with, and had surgery for, early stage colon cancer, will participate in the P-5 clinical trial.
“There will be an estimated 102,900 new cases of colon cancer in the United States this year,” said Norman Wolmark, M.D., chairman of NSABP. “In fact, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer found in men and women in this country. We hope this trial will be an important step in reducing these numbers.”
Saint Mary’s Center for Cancer continues its participation in a variety of clinical trials and research projects. With the support of the Catholic Healthcare West Institutional Review Board and the Nevada Cancer Research Foundation, Saint Mary’s researchers are expanding participation in large-scale research studies led by national collaborative groups. Additionally, Saint Mary’s develops clinical trials onsite that further benefit patients that are cared for locally.
For more information about clinical trials at Saint Mary’s or if you have been recently diagnosed with, or had surgery for, Stage I or II colon cancer and are interested in the P-5 study, contact Janis Pollard, R.N., at Saint Mary’s Center for Cancer at 770-3854.
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