SAN FRANCISCO
– Researchers at the BC Cancer Agency (BCCA) have found that a compound originally used to treat dry mouth may be an effective agent in preventing lung cancer in former and current smokers. These research findings were released today at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) annual meeting.
"When people give up smoking later in life, the risk of lung cancer does not go away," explains Dr. Stephen Lam, principal researcher, and head of the Lung Tumour Group at the BC Cancer Agency. "That’s why 50 percent of lung cancer patients are former smokers. In people who still smoke, even with the best smoking cessation program, over 70 percent need to try quitting more than once before they succeed. Both of these factors are why we are looking for a lung cancer chemopreventive agent."
Preclinical studies suggest that anethole dithiolethine (ADT) might effectively halt or slow the development of lung cancer. Dr. Lam and his colleagues have conducted a phase II clinical trial to determine the effect of ADT in smokers with bronchial dysplasia, which has a high risk for progression to invasive cancer.
In the six-month study, 101 volunteers – both current and former smokers with bronchial dysplasia – received either ADT or a placebo three times daily. This was followed by a bronchoscopy and a biopsy of the sites, plus any new potential areas with dysplasia. When all lesions in the study were analyzed, researchers found that the progression rate in the placebo group was 54 percent, compared to 32 percent in the ADT group.
The next step is to see whether ADT can prevent second primary cancers in people with head and neck cancers, or in those who have had surgery to remove early stage lung cancers – who have a one to three percent chance per year of developing another cancer in the mouth, lung or throat.
This clinical trial was part of the BC Cancer Agency Lung Health Study, a program measuring early detection methods for lung and bronchial cancer in high-risk individuals.
The BC Cancer Agency, a part of the Provincial Health Services Authority, is committed to reducing the incidence of cancer, reducing the mortality from cancer, and improving the quality of life of those living with cancer. It provides a comprehensive cancer control program for the people of British Columbia by working with community partners to deliver a range of oncology services, including prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, research, education, supportive care, rehabilitation and palliative care. The BC Cancer Research Centre conducts research into the causes and cures for cancer.
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For more information, or to arrange an interview, please call:
Nicole Adams
Public Relations Officer
BC Cancer Agency
(604) 877-6272