Effect of Folate on Colonic and Blood Cells
40 Years
72 Years
Both
Subjects Will Have a Pre-cancerous Colorectal Polyp, Family Member Has History of Colorectal Adenoma of Adenocarcinoma
Trial Information
Effect of Folate on Colonic and Blood Cells
Folate Depletion Arm and Supplementation Arm:
The folate depletion study requires an 8-week run-in period. During this run-in period, all
participants will eat an average folate diet with no high folate containing foods. There are
two screening visits during this period where initial blood-work is done and participants
undergo nutritional consultation. Following the 8-week run-in period, subjects in the folate
depletion arm will be hospitalized for approximately 3 months at the Rockefeller University
Hospital. You may leave the hospital during the day, but are required to return each
evening. During this entire time, subjects are given a low folate diet. During the last
month of the study, folate supplements are given to replace folate in the body. A follow-up
visit is required approximately 1 month after the study period. Blood will be drawn every
two weeks. Four sigmoidoscopies will be taken at approximately monthly intervals. A male is
required to use an effective form of birth control throughout his participation in the study
and for two months after the study ends.
The folate supplementation study requires an 8-week run-in period. During this run-in
period, all participants will eat an average folate diet with no high folate containing
foods. There are two screening visits during this period where initial blood-work is done
and participants undergo nutritional consultation. Following the 8-week run-in period,
subjects in the folate supplementation arm will be given a folate supplement for 8 weeks.
During this entire time, subjects will continue to eat an average folate diet with no high
folate containing foods. Blood samples and colorectal mucosa samples obtained during a
sigmoidoscopy will be taken 3 times at 4 week intervals.
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Men or post-menopausal women ages 40 to 72 years old that have a personal history of
colorectal adenomatous polyps and/or have a family history of colorectal cancer or
polyps will be included. Women have to be ≥2 years post-menopause (2 years after the
last menstrual period).
2. Ambulatory and in good health. -
Exclusion Criteria:
- 1. Personal history of cancer other than non-melanoma skin cancer.
2. History of hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer or more that one first degree
family member with colorectal or endometrial cancers.
3. Diseases of the bowel such as intestinal malabsorption or inflammatory bowel
disease
4. Surgery to the stomach or colon not including removal of the appendix or surgery
to the esophagus (food tube)
5. Any excessive bleeding or clotting disorder or if you are taking blood thinners.
6. Abnormalities of or conditions predisposing you to abnormalities of, folate
metabolism.
7. Untreated hyperthyroidism (increase in thyroid function) or insulin-requiring
diabetes mellitus
8. Daily alcohol intake greater than 2 ½ shot glasses of whisky or three -8 ounce
glasses of beer or wine.
9. No regular dosing of 660 mg of aspirin per day or more than 660 mg per day
This is equal to or more than two tablets of 325 mg. of regular strength aspirin; or equal
to or more than one tablet of 500 mg. extra-strength aspirin. You must not have regularly
taken dosages of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAID's) within the last 3 months.
One example of an NSAID is ibuprofen.
If you have been taking aspirin for heart or blood vessel protection regularly for at
least one month before your first screening visit, you will remain on that same amount of
medicine throughout the study and is allowed as follows:
- Aspirin 1 to 2 regular aspirin tablets (325 mg per tablet) per day, or
- Baby aspirin per day (81mg tablet).
10. A blood level (plasma) Vitamin B12 level less than 250pg/mL or a folate level
greater than 20 ng/ml
11. A blood (plasma) homocysteine level equal to or greater than 17 μmol/L
12. Taking a medication called, sterol-binding resins, such as cholestyramine
(Questran ®), which is for the treatment of high blood cholesterol.
13. Taking other investigational medications or multiple other medications that
might, in the opinion of the investigator, alter cell production in your rectum;
folate metabolism, or kidney or liver metabolism.
14. Any serious illness that would be anticipated to limit life expectancy to less
than 6 months
15. Sustained elevated blood pressure greater than 150/95 mm Hg for three consecutive
readings.
16. Clinically significant liver disease as evidenced by blood levels of alanine
amniotransferase or aspartate amniotransferase, greater than two times the upper
limits of the normal range, unexplained elevated alkaline phosphatase, or kidney
disease with blood creatinine level greater than 2.0 mg/dL.
17. HIV positive test results.
18. Currently taking any of the following:
- Weight control medications.
- Folic acid containing medications greater than 400 micrograms per day.
- Hormone replacement therapies or oral, transplanted, and injected contraceptives.
- Thyroid hormone replacement medications
o These will be only allowed if you have been stable on thyroid medication
(euthyroid) for three months.
- Medication interfering with the folic acid metabolic effects such as methotrexate
(includes Folex® and Trexall® and others), antiepileptic drugs such as phenytoin
(Dilantin®), phenobarbital, primidone or sulfonamides (includes some antimicrobial
agents) and folinic acid derivatives (Leucovorin®).
- Lipid-lowering medications (with the following exceptions)
If you have been taking the following lipid lowering medication of the class called
"statins" regularly for at least one month before your first screening visit, you will
remain on the same amount of medicine throughout the study.
- Atorvastatin (Lipitor©) 10 or 20 mg/day
- Fluvastatin (Lescol©) 20 mg or 40 mg/day
- Lovastatin (Levacor©) 10 or 20 mg/day
- Pravastatin (Pravachol©) 10 or 20 mg/day
- Simivastatin (Zocor©) 5 or 10 mg/day
Type of Study:
Interventional
Study Design:
Allocation: Non-Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment, Masking: Single Blind, Primary Purpose: Prevention
Outcome Measure:
Measurements of established folate-related endpoints in DNA from blood mononuclear cells and rectal cells:
Principal Investigator
Peter Holt, MD
Investigator Role:
Principal Investigator
Investigator Affiliation:
Rockefeller University and Strang Cancer Institute
Authority:
United States: Food and Drug Administration
Study ID:
RUH IRB #PHO-0514-0305
NCT ID:
NCT00220012
Start Date:
June 2003
Completion Date:
September 2005
Related Keywords:
- Subjects Will Have a Pre-cancerous Colorectal Polyp
- Family Member Has History of Colorectal Adenoma of Adenocarcinoma
- Adenocarcinoma
- Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous
- Adenoma
- Colonic Polyps
Name | Location |
|---|---|
| Rockefeller University Hospital | New York, New York 10021-6399 |
