Research professionals are encouraged to use the contact information on the "Our Team" page of this site to get in touch with members of the NCPC team, or email us at ncpc@northwestern.edu for more information about chemoprevention trials.
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Information regarding previous publications and findings can be found in the "Completed Trials" section of our website.
Do you have chronic ulcerative colitis?
Patients with ulcerative colitis are at higher than average risk of developing cancer of the large intestine (bowel) or colorectal cancer. Doctors at Northwestern Medicine are doing this study to find out if taking the drug atorvastatin might decrease that risk. We are studying atorvastatin because research suggests that it may interfere with cancer development. Atorvastatin is a cholesterol-lowering drug used to treat cardiovascular disease.
Better ways to control ulcerative colitis and more knowledge about how to prevent colon cancer are needed. The usual approach for ulcerative colitis patients is to be followed closely by their doctor to watch for the development of cancer, usually with yearly colonoscopy. Drugs proven to help control inflammation (swelling, tenderness, irritation, and abnormal changes) in the colon and a special diet are usually given to ulcerative colitis patients with active inflammation.
Testing Atorvastatin to lower colon cancer risk in longstanding ulcerative colitis
Principal Investigators:
Guang-Yu Yang, MD, PhD; Stephen Hanauer, MD - Northwestern University
Saurabh Kapur, MD - University of Kansas Medical Center
Joel Pekow, MD - University of Chicago
Victor Carlo, MD - University of Puerto Rico
In this study, you will receive either 20 mg of atorvastatin, or placebo pills, by mouth once a day for up to one year, in addition to your standard of care. This will allow researchers to see if participants taking atorvastatin show changes in their colon, which may indicate a lower risk of developing cancer.
After one year of treatment with either atorvastatin or placebo, your study doctor will continue to follow your condition and watch you for side effects for up to 21 days. You should continue your routine yearly surveillance colonoscopy examination.
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More Information: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04767984
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This study is no longer enrolling new participants. If you are a current participant and have questions about scheduled visits or updates to your medical history or medications, please contact your study team.
Additional Resources
Study Brochure
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Study Video
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Spanish Study Video
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