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Aspirin in Preventing Colorectal Cancer in Patients With Colorectal Adenoma

Evaluating Intermittent Dosing of Aspirin for Colorectal Cancer Chemoprevention

Status
Active, not recruiting
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02965703
Enrollment
81
Registered
2016-11-17
Start date
2018-01-16
Completion date
2026-12-24
Last updated
2026-04-03

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Colorectal Adenoma, Colorectal Carcinoma

Brief summary

This phase IIa trial studies how well aspirin works in preventing colorectal cancer in patients with colorectal adenoma. Aspirin may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth.

Detailed description

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: I. To test for the equivalency of the two aspirin schedules. SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: I. To evaluate the effects of aspirin treatments on: Ia. The ratio of cell proliferation (Ki-67)/apoptosis (TUNEL) in rectal biopsies; Ib. The ratio of cell proliferation (Ki-67)/necroptosis (pMLKL) in rectal biopsies; Ic. Fecal occult blood test (measures of adverse events) as measured by stool samples. EXPLORATORY OBJECTIVES: I. To evaluate the effects of aspirin treatments on: Ia. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in rectal biopsies; Ib. Bcl-2-like protein 4 (BAX) in rectal biopsies; Ic. Transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member (7TRPM7) in rectal biopsies; Id. Joint index of COX-2 with TRPM7 expression in rectal biopsies; Ie. Joint index of TRPM7 with BAX in rectal biopsies; If. Methylation assays using the MethylationEPIC BeadChip to identify methylation biomarkers in genes (i.e. CDKN2A \[cell cycle regulation\], MGMT \[deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) repair\], DAPK1 \[apoptosis\], CDH1 \[cell invasion\], WNT16 \[Wnt pathway\] and RASSF1 \[RAS signaling\]) involved in colorectal carcinogenesis, and other epigenome-wide methylation biomarkers as measured in rectal biopsies; Ig. Metagenomics analysis to measure abundance of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Fusobacterium and other microbiota in rectal swabs. OUTLINE: Patients are randomized to 1 of 3 arms. ARM I: Patients receive aspirin orally (PO) daily for 12 weeks in the absence of unacceptable toxicity. Patients also undergo collection of blood, urine, stool, rectal swab samples, and rectal biopsies throughout the trial. ARM II: Patients receive aspirin PO daily at weeks 1-3 and 7-9 and placebo PO daily at weeks 4-6 and 10-12 in the absence of unacceptable toxicity. Patients also undergo collection of blood, urine, stool, rectal swab samples, and rectal biopsies throughout the trial. ARM III: Patients receive placebo PO daily for 12 weeks in the absence of unacceptable toxicity. Patients also undergo collection of blood, urine, stool, rectal swab samples, and rectal biopsies throughout the trial. After completion of study, patients are followed up at 1 month.

Interventions

DRUGAspirin

Given PO

PROCEDUREBiospecimen Collection

Undergo collection of blood, urine, stool, and rectal swab samples

OTHERPlacebo Administration

Given PO

OTHERQuestionnaire Administration

Ancillary studies

PROCEDURERectal Biopsy

Undergo rectal biopsy

Sponsors

National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Lead SponsorNIH

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Diagnosis of colorectal adenoma of any grade * Age \>= 18 years. Because no dosing or adverse event (AE) data are currently available on the use of aspirin in participants \< 18 years of age, children are excluded from this study but will be eligible for future pediatric trials, if applicable * Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status =\< 1 (Karnofsky \>= 70%) * Leukocytes \>= 3,000/microliter * Absolute neutrophil count \>= 1,500/microliter * Platelets \>= 150,000/microliter * Total bilirubin =\< 1.5 x institutional upper limit of normal (ULN) * Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase \[SGOT\])/alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase \[SGPT\]) =\< 1.5 x institutional ULN * Creatinine =\< 1.5 x institutional ULN * Blood hemoglobin \>= 12.0 g/dL * Alkaline phosphatase =\< 1.5 x institutional ULN * Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) =\< 40 mg/dL * Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) \>= 45 mL/min * Negative fecal occult blood test * The effects of aspirin on the developing human fetus at the recommended therapeutic dose are unknown; for this reason, women of child-bearing potential and men must agree to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control; abstinence) prior to study entry and for the duration of study participation; should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while participating in this study, she should inform her study physician immediately * Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document

Exclusion criteria

* Current (within three weeks of randomization) or planned use during the study intervention of the following: * Aspirin, other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or COX-2 inhibitors * Anticoagulants, anti-platelet agents, or corticosteroids * Gingko * Ethanol consumption \> 1 standard drinks/day for women, or \> 2 standard drinks/day for men * Methotrexate (MTX) * Study participants will be instructed to use Tylenol or some other non-excluded agent to treat common ailments (i.e. headache/minor aches and pains) * History of * Any invasive malignancy within the past 2 years, with the exception of non-melanoma skin cancer * Chronic renal diseases or liver cirrhosis * Diseases such as anemia, peptic ulcer, gastrointestinal bleeding, active colitis and inflammatory bowel disease * Hemorrhagic stroke or uncontrolled hypertension * Participants may not be receiving any other investigational agents * History of allergic reactions or intolerance attributed to aspirin or compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition * Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness that would limit compliance with study requirements * Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding; pregnant women are excluded from this study because aspirin has the potential for abortifacient effects; because there is an unknown but potential risk for adverse events (AEs) in nursing infants secondary to treatment of the mother with aspirin, breastfeeding should be discontinued if the mother is treated with aspirin

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Ratio of Cell Proliferation to Apoptosis Biomarkers (Ki67 Index and BAX Index)Baseline to end of intervention up to 12 weeksChange in the ratio of proliferation to apoptosis biomarkers (Ki67 density index: BAX density index, measured continuously after IHC staining) in colorectal mucosa of compliant participants

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Ratio of Cell Proliferation (Ki-67)/Apoptosis (TdT-mediated dUTP Nick End Labeling [TUNEL]) in Rectal BiopsiesBaseline to end of intervention up to 12 weeksChange in the ratio of proliferation to apoptosis biomarkers (Ki67 density index: TUNEL density index, measured continuously after IHC staining) in colorectal mucosa of compliant participants.
Ratio of Cell Proliferation (Ki-67)/Necroptosis (MLKL) in Rectal BiopsiesBaseline to end of intervention up to 12 weeksChange in the ratio of proliferation to necroptosis biomarkers (Ki67 density index: pMLKLdensity index, measured continuously after IHC staining) in colorectal mucosa of compliant participants
Fecal Occult Blood Test (Measures of Adverse Events) as Measured by Stool SamplesBaseline to end of intervention up to 12 weeks.The number of participants who started intervention and had a positive fecal occult blood test result

Countries

United States

Contacts

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORQi Dai

Northwestern University

Participant flow

Recruitment details

81 participants were randomized. 70 out of the 81 started study agent.

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Arm I (Aspirin)
Patients receive aspirin PO daily for 12 weeks in the absence of unacceptable toxicity. Patients also undergo collection of blood, urine, stool, rectal swab samples, and rectal biopsies throughout the trial. Aspirin: Given PO Biospecimen Collection: Undergo collection of blood, urine, stool, and rectal swab samples Questionnaire Administration: Ancillary studies Rectal Biopsy: Undergo rectal biopsy
36
Arm II (Aspirin, Placebo)
Patients receive aspirin PO daily at weeks 1-3 and 7-9 and placebo PO daily at weeks 4-6 and 10-12 in the absence of unacceptable toxicity. Patients also undergo collection of blood, urine, stool, rectal swab samples, and rectal biopsies throughout the trial. Aspirin: Given PO Biospecimen Collection: Undergo collection of blood, urine, stool, and rectal swab samples Placebo Administration: Given PO Questionnaire Administration: Ancillary studies Rectal Biopsy: Undergo rectal biopsy
36
Arm III (Placebo)
Patients receive placebo PO daily for 12 weeks in the absence of unacceptable toxicity. Patients also undergo collection of blood, urine, stool, rectal swab samples, and rectal biopsies throughout the trial. Biospecimen Collection: Undergo collection of blood, urine, stool, and rectal swab samples Placebo Administration: Given PO Questionnaire Administration: Ancillary studies Rectal Biopsy: Undergo rectal biopsy
9
Total81

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicArm I (Aspirin)TotalArm III (Placebo)Arm II (Aspirin, Placebo)
Age, Continuous61 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8
60 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 7
57 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6
60 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
1 Participants1 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
35 Participants80 Participants9 Participants36 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
4 Participants9 Participants0 Participants5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
32 Participants72 Participants9 Participants31 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
36 participants81 participants9 participants36 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
17 Participants43 Participants5 Participants21 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
19 Participants38 Participants4 Participants15 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
EG002
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 290 / 330 / 8
other
Total, other adverse events
7 / 299 / 334 / 8
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 291 / 331 / 8

Outcome results

Primary

Ratio of Cell Proliferation to Apoptosis Biomarkers (Ki67 Index and BAX Index)

Change in the ratio of proliferation to apoptosis biomarkers (Ki67 density index: BAX density index, measured continuously after IHC staining) in colorectal mucosa of compliant participants

Time frame: Baseline to end of intervention up to 12 weeks

Population: Participants with pre and post intervention samples available.

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
Arm I (Aspirin)Ratio of Cell Proliferation to Apoptosis Biomarkers (Ki67 Index and BAX Index)-0.11 ratio
Arm II (Aspirin, Placebo)Ratio of Cell Proliferation to Apoptosis Biomarkers (Ki67 Index and BAX Index)0.00 ratio
Arm III (Placebo)Ratio of Cell Proliferation to Apoptosis Biomarkers (Ki67 Index and BAX Index)-0.23 ratio
Secondary

Fecal Occult Blood Test (Measures of Adverse Events) as Measured by Stool Samples

The number of participants who started intervention and had a positive fecal occult blood test result

Time frame: Baseline to end of intervention up to 12 weeks.

Population: Participants with pre and post intervention samples available.

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Arm I (Aspirin)Fecal Occult Blood Test (Measures of Adverse Events) as Measured by Stool Samples1 Participants
Arm II (Aspirin, Placebo)Fecal Occult Blood Test (Measures of Adverse Events) as Measured by Stool Samples2 Participants
Arm III (Placebo)Fecal Occult Blood Test (Measures of Adverse Events) as Measured by Stool Samples0 Participants
Secondary

Ratio of Cell Proliferation (Ki-67)/Apoptosis (TdT-mediated dUTP Nick End Labeling [TUNEL]) in Rectal Biopsies

Change in the ratio of proliferation to apoptosis biomarkers (Ki67 density index: TUNEL density index, measured continuously after IHC staining) in colorectal mucosa of compliant participants.

Time frame: Baseline to end of intervention up to 12 weeks

Population: Participants with pre and post intervention samples available.

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
Arm I (Aspirin)Ratio of Cell Proliferation (Ki-67)/Apoptosis (TdT-mediated dUTP Nick End Labeling [TUNEL]) in Rectal Biopsies-1.27 ratio
Arm II (Aspirin, Placebo)Ratio of Cell Proliferation (Ki-67)/Apoptosis (TdT-mediated dUTP Nick End Labeling [TUNEL]) in Rectal Biopsies0.63 ratio
Arm III (Placebo)Ratio of Cell Proliferation (Ki-67)/Apoptosis (TdT-mediated dUTP Nick End Labeling [TUNEL]) in Rectal Biopsies-0.70 ratio
Secondary

Ratio of Cell Proliferation (Ki-67)/Necroptosis (MLKL) in Rectal Biopsies

Change in the ratio of proliferation to necroptosis biomarkers (Ki67 density index: pMLKLdensity index, measured continuously after IHC staining) in colorectal mucosa of compliant participants

Time frame: Baseline to end of intervention up to 12 weeks

Population: Participants with pre and post intervention samples available.

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
Arm I (Aspirin)Ratio of Cell Proliferation (Ki-67)/Necroptosis (MLKL) in Rectal Biopsies0.58 ratio
Arm II (Aspirin, Placebo)Ratio of Cell Proliferation (Ki-67)/Necroptosis (MLKL) in Rectal Biopsies-0.02 ratio
Arm III (Placebo)Ratio of Cell Proliferation (Ki-67)/Necroptosis (MLKL) in Rectal Biopsies-0.32 ratio

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Apr 4, 2026