Two Trials Examining Nutrition Strategies to Prevent Colon Cancer

COLUMBUS, Ohio—A trial sponsored by NOAT (Society for Nutritional Oncology Adjuvant Therapy) is examining the effect of eating high-fiber cereal on patients with colon polyps, Daniel Nixon, MD, president of NOAT, said at the group’s 4th Annual Congress.

About 150 patients with colon polyps are being divided into two groups, with one group eating low-fiber cereal and the other group eating high-fiber cereal. “The high-fiber group receives 30 g to 35 g of fiber per day,” said Dr. Nixon, of the Medical University of South Carolina and Hollings Cancer Center.

Patients for the fiber trial are being enrolled at the Medical University of South Carolina, Virginia Commonwealth University, and the Midwest Regional Medical Center, Chicago.

Ellagic Acid in Raspberries

Dr. Nixon also described a study of ellagic acid that is not yet part of the NOAT Clinical Trials Network. His group at the Medical University of South Carolina is feeding raspberry puree, a source of ellagic acid, to three groups of patients: patients with normal colons, patients with colon polyps, and patients with colon cancer. So far, 10 patients are enrolled, with plans to enroll another 10.

Colon tissue samples are taken from the patients every 4 months. “No data are yet available from this study,” he said.