Active clinical trials for "Precancerous Conditions"

RATIONALE: Chemoprevention therapy is the use of certain drugs to try to prevent the development or recurrence of cancer. The use of eflornithine may be an effective way to prevent the recurrence of or further development of cervical cancer. PURPOSE: Randomized phase II trial to determine the effectiveness of eflornithine in preventing cervical cancer in patients who have cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

Skin cancers and pre-cancerous growths (called actinic keratoses, "AKs"), that aren't melanomas, develop in patients with a kidney transplant at excessive rates. When these pre-cancerous AKs, and "non-melanoma" skin cancers occur in kidney transplant patients, they tend to be aggressive, and require frequent medical procedures, often surgery, for the removal of the skin cancers. If not removed adequately the pre-cancers can develop into skin cancers, and the skin cancers, if not removed, may spread, and even cause death. Reducing the occurrence and complications of these skin cancers and pre-cancers in kidney transplant patients with a safe, effective, well-tolerated treatment taken by mouth would be an important medical advance. We are testing oral nicotinamide (NAM)-a B-vitamin compound-for that purpose. Approximately fifty kidney transplant patients who have had at least one non-melanoma skin cancer in the past, will be given randomized to receive NAM, 1 gram twice daily by mouth, or identical pills without NAM, and followed for 1 year to see if NAM treatment reduces the numbers of pre-cancerous AKs, and non-melanoma skin cancers they develop. Patients will be asked to come to the clinic for 3 follow up visits (every 4 months for up to 12 months). They will receive a full body skin exam by a dermatologist, have detailed counting of AKs and biopsies for any suspicious lesions as standard of care. Blood will also be drawn as well as a urine sample obtained at each visit for safety assessment and storage. We will also ask them to answer a series of questions about dietary patterns and intake of whole foods and supplements.

RATIONALE: Doctors use a swab to collect cell samples when testing for anal cancer and human papillomavirus. It is not yet known which type of swab is more effective in collecting cell samples for anal Pap tests and human papillomavirus tests in men who have sex with men. PURPOSE: This clinical trial is comparing two types of swabs in collecting cell samples for anal Pap tests and human papillomavirus tests in men who have sex with men.

The purpose of this study is to test the preventive effects of a combination of drugs: polyphenon E (PPE) derived from green tea extracts, and erlotinib. Because this combination of drugs has not been tested in humans before for the prevention of cancer, it is not clear which dose of each agent will be optimal in combination. We will test the safety of the combination of PPE and erlotinib and see what effects (good and/or bad) it has on the patient's premalignant lesion, and find the highest dose of each agent that can be given in combination without causing severe side effects.

RATIONALE: Calcitriol may prevent lung cancer in patients with metaplasia or dysplasia of the lungs. PURPOSE: This clinical trial is studying the side effects and best dose of calcitriol in preventing lung cancer in current smokers and former smokers at high risk of lung cancer.

This randomized phase II trial is studying how well sulindac works in preventing melanoma in healthy participants who are at increased risk of melanoma. Sulindac may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. It is not yet known whether sulindac is more effective than a placebo in preventing melanoma in individuals with many moles and abnormal moles.

RATIONALE: Screening tests or exams may help doctors find lung cancer sooner, when it may be easier to treat. PURPOSE: This randomized clinical trial is studying screening tests or exams to see how well they work compared to usual care in finding early stage lung cancer in current or past smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

RATIONALE: Chemoprevention is the use of certain drugs to keep cancer from forming. The use of diindolylmethane, a substance found in cruciferous vegetables, may keep cervical intraepithelial neoplasia or cervical cancer from forming. PURPOSE: This randomized phase III trial is studying diindolylmethane to see how well it works compared to a placebo in treating patients with abnormal cervical cells.

This randomized phase II trial is studying atorvastatin calcium to see how well it works compared to oligofructose-enriched inulin, sulindac, or a placebo in preventing cancer in patients at increased risk of developing colorectal neoplasia. Chemoprevention is the use of certain drugs or substances to keep cancer from forming, growing, or coming back. The use of atorvastatin calcium, oligofructose-enriched inulin, or sulindac may stop cancer from forming in patients at increased risk of colorectal neoplasia. It is not yet known whether atorvastatin calcium, oligofructose-enriched inulin, or sulindac are more effective than a placebo in preventing cancer in patients at increased risk of developing colorectal neoplasia.

RATIONALE: Chemoprevention is the use of certain drugs to keep cancer from forming, growing, or coming back. The use of fish oil and/or green tea may prevent prostate cancer. PURPOSE: This randomized clinical trial is studying how well a fish oil and/or green tea supplement works in preventing prostate cancer in patients with prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia or who are at risk for developing prostate cancer.