Colon Cancer Research

Genetics

People whose colon or rectal cancer problems show DNA mismatch repair (MMR) problems are likely to stay alive more time after surgical treatment compared to those who cancers do not. Even so, most of these cancers are not as likely to be helped by chemotherapy blends that include 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) provided as adjuvant therapy after surgical treatment. Consequently, researches are testing the performance of chemotherapy which does not contain 5-FU for sufferers with stage II or III colorectal cancers that contain this molecular element.
A fresh examine continues to be designed that looks at the activity of 18 various genes in the cancer. It may be useful to guide predict which sufferers with stage II colon cancer can take advantage of adjuvant chemo.
Improvements in understanding how gene transforms make colorectal cancer can also ultimately lead to innovative drugs and gene therapies to appropriate these gene issues. First stages of gene treatment studies are already in progress

Chemoprevention

Chemoprevention makes use of natural or manufactured substances to reduce a person's risk of formulating cancer. Specialists are evaluating whether specific health supplements, nutrients (like calcium), and vitamins (similar to folic acid or vitamin D) may lower colorectal cancer chance.
A few research has obtained that people who take multi-vitamins bearing folic acid (generally known as folate), vitamin D supplements, or calcium (through both diet and supplements) can have a lower colorectal cancer chance compared to people who do not. Study to figure out the possible advantages of these and other ingredients, like selenium and cur cumin, becomes under way. Using aspirin or even an additional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) is related to a lower risk of colorectal cancer, but these drugs may cause stomach ulcers and other side effects. This is why having NSAIDs specifically for this purpose is not advised for people at usual colorectal cancer risk.
NSAIDs, such as sulindac and celecoxib (Celebrex), are being shown to decrease growth of adenomatous polyps in people with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). The FDA has authorized celecoxib for reducing polyp formation in people with FAP. Even so, celecoxib may have unwanted effects similar to a potential increased threat of heart disease. Talk to your doctor before you begin regular use of aspirin or even another NSAID. Lots of people take medicines known as statins to reduce their cholesterol levels. These types of pills may also help lower the risk of polyps and colorectal cancer. Investigation at present going on is looking to see if giving rosuvastatin (Crestor) to people who had a polyp or early colon cancer would certainly lower the chance of a new colon cancer or polyp or even lower the risk of the cancer ever coming back. Earlier detection Colorectal cancer is much easier to treat effectively if it is found at a very early stage. Studies continue to look at the effectiveness of current colorectal cancer screening methods and assess new ways to tell the public about the importance of being screened.
Only about half of Americans age 50 or older have had any colorectal cancer screening at all. If everyone were tested as recommended, thousands of lives could be saved each year. The American Cancer Society and other public health organizations are working to increase awareness of colorectal cancer screening among the general public and health care professionals. Meanwhile, new imaging and lab tests are also being developed and tested. Newer, more accurate ways to look for changes in the stool that might indicate colorectal cancer have been developed. These include tests that are better able to detect blood in the stool (fecal immunochemical tests) and test that can detect changes in the DNA of cells in the stool. CT colonography (also known as virtual colonoscopy) is a special type of CT scan that can find many colorectal polyps and cancers early. A recent study found that it could be helpful in screening even without the patient having to drink large amounts of liquid laxative first. These tests are described in more detail in the section, “Can colorectal polyps and cancer be found early?”

Treatment

Newer surgery techniques

Surgeons are continuing to improve their techniques for operating on colorectal cancers. They now have a better understanding of what makes colorectal surgery more likely to be successful, such as making sure enough lymph nodes are removed during the operation. Laparoscopic surgery is done through several small incisions in the abdomen instead of one large one, and it's becoming more widely used for some colon cancers. This approach usually allows patients to recover faster, with less pain after the operation. Laparoscopic surgery is also being studied for treating some rectal cancers, but more research is needed to see if it as effective as standard surgery. With robotic surgery, a surgeon sits at a control panel and operates very precise robotic arms to perform the surgery. This type of surgery is also being studied. Chemotherapy Many clinical trials are testing new chemotherapy drugs or drugs that are already used against other cancers (such as cisplatin or gemcitabine). Other studies are looking at new ways to combine drugs already known to be active against colorectal cancer, such as irinotecan and oxaliplatin, to improve their effectiveness. Still other studies are testing the best ways to combine chemotherapy with radiation therapy, targeted therapies, and/or immunotherapy.