Cancer Prevention Clinical Trials
Prevention is a cornerstone
of MD Anderson's approach to eliminating cancer.
of MD Anderson's approach to eliminating cancer.
We are constantly researching ways to reduce an individual's risk of getting cancer, and our discoveries are translated into advances in clinical care and recommendations to the community as a whole.
Did you know?
Clinical trials serve as an important step, not only in discovering new treatments for cancers such as breast, colon, lung and many other diseases, but also in creating new ways to detect, diagnose and reduce the risk of disease for patients today and in the future. Prevention is the key!
Clinical Trials
Breast Cancer Prevention Trials
Ruxolitinib for Premalignant Breast Disease
Brief Description: This study is evaluating how ruxolitinib affects premalignant breast cells. One half of the study participants will receive ruxolitinib for approximately 15 days, and the other half will receive a placebo (sugar pill) for approximately 15 days. Once study participants have completed their ruxolitinib or placebo, participants will undergo surgery to remove the premalignant breast tissue
Study Contact:
Parijatham Thomas, M.D.
Phone: 713-745-1075
Email: psthomas@mdanderson.org
Metformin and Nightly Fasting in Women With Early Breast Cancer
Brief Description: This phase IIb trial studies the combined effect of prolonged nightly fasting and metformin hydrochloride extended release in decreasing breast tumor cell proliferation and other biomarkers of breast cancer. Preventing invasive breast cancer or DCIS. Metformin is widely used to treat type II diabetes and is associated with a decreased risk of cancer and death in diabetic individuals. Intermittent fasting may protect cancer patients from the toxic effects of chemotherapy agents without causing chronic weight loss. The combination of intermittent fasting and metformin may reduce breast cancer growth and may be used in women at risk for breast cancer or other cancers associated with being overweight.
Study Contact:
Parijatham Thomas, M.D.
Phone: 713-745-1075
Email: psthomas@mdanderson.org
Colon Cancer Prevention Trials
A Phase IIa Randomized, Double-Blinded Clinical Trial of Naproxen or Aspirin for Cancer Immune Interception in Lynch Syndrome
Brief Description: To learn about the effects of naproxen and aspirin on the normal colon in people with Lynch Syndrome.
Study Contact:
Eduardo Vilar-Sanchez, M.D.
Phone: 713-563-4743
Email: evilar@mdanderson.org
Cancer Preventive Vaccine Nous-209 for Lynch Syndrome Patients
Brief Description: This phase Ib/II trial evaluates the safety and effect of the Nous-209 vaccine in Lynch syndrome patients. Lynch syndrome is an inherited disorder in which affected individuals have a higher-than-normal chance of developing colorectal cancer and certain other types of cancer, often before the age of 50. In Lynch syndrome, errors in the genetic information inside cells are not properly corrected. When that happens, the cells produce new proteins called neoantigens. Neoantigens are recognized by the body's immune system as foreign, and the body tries to get rid of them. Nous-209 is a vaccine made with man-made copies of some of those neoantigens. This trial aims to see whether the Nous-209 vaccine is safe to give to patients with Lynch syndrome, whether people are able to take the Nous-209 vaccine without becoming too uncomfortable, and how the immune system of patients with Lynch syndrome respond to the Nous-209 vaccine. This trial may help researchers determine whether receiving Nous-209 have an effect on the development of polyps or tumors in the colon.
Study Contact:
Eduardo Vilar-Sanchez, M.D.
Phone: 713-563-4743
Email: evilar@mdanderson.org
Testing a Combination of Vaccines for Cancer Prevention in Lynch Syndrome
Brief Description: This phase IIb trial tests whether Tri-Ad5 in combination with N-803 works to prevent colon and other cancers in participants with Lynch syndrome. Each of the three injections in Tri-Ad5 vaccine contain a different substance that is in precancer and cancer cells. Injecting these substances may cause the immune system to develop a defense against cancer that recognizes and destroys any precancer and cancer cells that produce these proteins in the future. N-803 may increase immune responses to other vaccines. Giving Tri-Ad5 in combination with immune enhancing N-803 may lower the chance of developing colon and other cancers in participants with Lynch syndrome.
Study Contact:
Eduardo Vilar-Sanchez, M.D.
Phone: 713-563-4743
Email: evilar@mdanderson.org
Testing Obeticholic Acid for Familial Adenomatous Polyposis
Brief Description: This phase IIa trial investigates if giving obeticholic acid (OCA) is safe and has a beneficial effect on the number of polyps in the small bowel and colon in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). FAP is a rare gene defect that increases the risk of developing cancer of the intestines and colon. OCA is a drug similar to a bile acid the body makes. It is fluid made and released by the liver. OCA binds to a receptor in the intestine that is believed to have a positive effect on preventing cancer development. OCA has been effective in treating primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), a liver disease, and is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use at a lower dose (10 mg). There have been studies showing that OCA decreases inflammation and fibrosis. However, it is not yet known whether OCA works on reducing the number of polyps in patients with FAP.
Study Contact:
Eduardo Vilar-Sanchez, M.D.
Phone: 713-563-4743
Email: evilar@mdanderson.org