
Acetylsalicylic Acid and Colorectal Cancer Prevention: Exploring the Platelet Function of Its Mechanism...
Colorectal CancerIn a preliminary study in healthy subjects, the investigators determined the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic of enteric-coated acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) (Adiro 100 mg, Bayer), and the variability (coefficient of variation), accuracy and precision of a novel biomarker of ASA action, i.e., quantification of the extent of COX-1 acetylation at serine-529, using a stable isotope dilution liquid chromatography multiple reaction monitoring/mass spectrometry (LC-MS) technique. Now, the investigators will perform a clinical study in individuals undergoing Colorectal cancer (CRC) to validate the hypothesis that that low-dose ASA given once daily is acting primarily by selectively acetylating platelet COX-1 and suppressing its activity throughout the 24-hour dosing interval. In contrast, it is expected that the inhibitory effect on extra-platelet sources of COX-1 will be short-lasting, if any, affecting only partially COX-1, and this effect will be completely reversed at 24 hours after dosing. This is an important point which will strengthen the platelet hypothesis underpinning the apparent adequacy of a 24-hour dosing interval of ASA administration for the anticancer effect detected in cardiovascular trials. These patients will be stratified into individuals with adenomas/carcinomas (20 to 30%) and patients without clinically detected adenomas/carcinomas (about 70 to 80%).

Fast Track Laparoscopic Surgery: A Better Option for Treating Colorectal Cancer Than Conventional...
Colorectal CancerTo compare the outcomes of fast track laparoscopic surgery and conventional laparoscopic surgery.

The Impact of Physical Activity on the Outcome of Surgery
Physical ActivityBreast Neoplasm2 moreOver the last decades different life style factors have been established as risk factors for various diseases. The obesity pandemic displays a good example of a disease where great effort is undertaken to characterize risk factors associated with obesity (1). Smoking is another life style risk factor established since several decades, and where primary prevention has been increasingly successful (2, 3). Cardiovascular epidemiologic research at the University of Gothenburg recognized PA as a factor of importance early on and thus included PA related questions in the work up of studies with large cohorts (4-6). A 4-level scale was introduced in the late 1960:s by Saltin and Grimby (7) and has been used extensively since then. With this background it is of interest to record physical activity one year and one month prior to certain types of elective surgery and to study the relationship of PA to surgical complications and recovery is of interest. The aim of this study is to investigate whether a higher physical activity prior to a surgical procedure reduces hospital stay, sick leave and the complication rate. A secondary aim is to investigate the effect of preoperative physical activity on the rate of resumption of QoL and normal physical function.

A Reversal in the Vascularity of Metastatic Liver Tumors From Colorectal Cancer After the Cessation...
Colorectal CancerObjective: To assess the effect of bevacizumab on tumor vessels, and the reversibility of the effect, using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) and histology in patients with metastatic liver tumors derived from colorectal cancer. Background Data: Direct evidence on the reversibility of any change in tumor vascularity upon bevacizumab cessation in the clinical setting is lacking. Methods: The study included 10 patients who received chemotherapy including bevacizumab, experienced a reduction in tumor vascularity as demonstrated by CEUS and consequently underwent liver resection. CEUS was performed before and immediately after 4 courses of chemotherapy and one day before surgery. The number of microvessels highlighted by anti-CD34 antibody in the viable tumor tissue was counted to quantify the microvessel density (MVD). As a control, 10 surgical specimens from 10 patients who had not received chemotherapy were examined.

Colon Cancer Prevention Using Selenium
Prevention of Colorectal CancerSelenium's ability to prevent colorectal cancer (CRC) has been suspected for nearly 30 years, but has never been directly studied in humans. The investigators will directly assess selenium's ability to prevent CRC by measuring alterations in aberrant crypt foci (ACF), an accepted surrogate marker for CRC. ACF's are very small (i.e., microscopic) collections of abnormally shaped cells that are a commonly used marker of CRC risk. Screening colonoscopy at UIC routinely uses methods that allow ACF counting to be done as a part of standard practice. ACF's are not fixed, like polyps or cancers, but can disappear as a person's risk for developing CRC decreases. The investigators propose giving patient's with 6 or more ACF's 200 mcg selenized yeast or placebo, and determining if there is a drug-dependant decrease in ACF number. The primary objective is to determine whether selenized yeast supplementation, compared to placebo, causes significant reduction of ACF number from baseline levels. The primary endpoint will be change in ACF number

Validation of an Alternative Biological Test to Increase the Detection Sensitivity of a Colon Tumour...
Colorectal CancerScreening campaigns for colorectal cancer (CRC) involve two steps: the detection of occult blood in stools using a Hemoccult GAIAC test (FOBT) on three consecutive stool samples, followed by colonoscopy if the result is positive. The information quality of the Hemoccult test, however, is poor: in the asymptomatic 50 to 74 year-old population, the detection sensitivity of polyps more than 1 cm in diameter is of the order of 10 to 30% and is 35 to 50% for detecting colorectal cancers; specificity is 94 to 98% that of a complete colonoscopy. The I-FOBTs based on immunological detection and quantification of occult blood in stools are currently being evaluated; based on the threshold it can be more sensitive than FOBT, but enhances useless colonoscopies. Alternatively, with highest threshold of blood in stools, it may become highly specific and miss less advanced polyps. Faecal molecular tests based on the detection of human DNA anomalies (point gene mutations, methylation disorders of CG islets) appear to be more sensitive than the detection of occult blood in stools with no loss of specificity, but they are very expensive, thereby limiting their generalisation to the scale of population screening. A formal methylated DNA test has been validated in stools as well as in blood in a cohort of symptomatic individuals having undergone colonoscopy. The aim of the present study is to validate this test by taking advantage of the biotechnical expertise from renowned academic research teams and mass screening organisation.

Assessment of Symptom-Related Cytokines in Lung and Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancer Patients
Anal CancerColorectal Cancer3 morePrimary Objectives: To determine the feasibility of a study that would describe changes of certain circulating inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1, 6, 8, 10, 12, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF] and symptoms related to chemoradiation therapy (pre-therapy, during therapy and up to 3 months post-therapy) among patients with lung, esophageal, gastric, colorectal and anal cancer. To determine the feasibility of studying neurocognitive function in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) at presentation and during chemoradiation therapy to determine the prevalence, severity, and pattern of cognitive symptoms.

Colorectal Cancer Screening for Cancer Survivors
Colorectal CancerThe risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) is significant among cancer survivors treated with abdominal radiation therapy (RT). Further, CRC is once of the few cancers for which there is effective screening. Although some expert groups recommend early CRC screening for patients with prior abdominal RT, the effectiveness of early screening is unknown. It is also unknown if radiation-induced CRC passes through a "pre-clinical" phase in which precancerous polyps are detectable and treatable prior to becoming invasive cancers. This study will evaluate whether screening will detect pre-invasive colorectal polyps among survivors treated with RT.

Dose Adaptation of Capecitabine Using Mobile Phone Toxicity Monitoring
Metastatic Colorectal CancerMetastatic Breast CancerTo develop a system to manage side effects and adjust chemotherapy dose such that a patient can receive their personal maximum tolerated dose.

Case Volume and Adenoma Rate During Screening Colonoscopy
Colorectal CancerScreening colonoscopy has been established as the most effective means of colorectal cancer prevention. This is based on the fact that colonoscopy detects and removes colonic polyps (adenomas) which are known to progress to cancer if left untreated. The present study examines the question whether case volume (i.e., the number of colonoscopies performed per year) correlates with colonoscopy quality, i.e., adenoma detection rate.