Purified Resveratrol and Other Therapies Trialed to Prevent Bowel Cancer

Researchers in the UK are launching a large-scale trial to test whether purified resveratrol supplements or common medications, such as aspirin and metformin, could help prevent bowel cancer in patients who have had polyps removed. Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is a major health concern in Europe, with approximately 362,000 new cases and over 161,000 deaths reported in 2022 alone. This new trial, one of the largest of its kind in the UK, seeks to explore therapeutic prevention strategies that could reduce the risk of cancer developing in patients with a history of bowel polyps.

Testing Promising Cancer-Preventive Approaches

Led by the University of Leicester and the UK’s National Institute for Health and Social Care Research (NIHR), the study will involve 1,300 participants from England and Wales who have had bowel polyps discovered and removed during routine screenings. These polyps, small cysts in the colon or rectum, have the potential to become cancerous if left unchecked. After removal, patients will be randomly assigned to one of four treatments: aspirin alone, a combination of aspirin and metformin, purified resveratrol, or a placebo. The goal is to determine if any of these interventions, which include both over-the-counter drugs and a natural supplement, can reduce the chances of polyps reoccurring or progressing into cancer.

Previous research has already shown promise for resveratrol in slowing cancer cell growth, with studies led by Karen Brown of the Leicester Cancer Research Centre finding even low doses effective in animal and human tissue samples. This trial will expand on these findings by testing resveratrol in humans on a larger scale, alongside other interventions.

Why This Matters: Expanding Therapeutic Prevention

Therapeutic prevention, which focuses on preventing disease through medication and supplements, could be an important approach to managing cancer risk. Mark Hull, a professor of molecular gastroenterology at the University of Leeds, noted that while removing bowel polyps is effective, it does not eliminate the chance of new polyps forming or cancer developing later on. Preventive interventions, he explained, are needed to address this residual risk.

Cancer Research UK’s executive director of research and innovation, Iain Foulkes, emphasized the significance of the trial, suggesting it could usher in a future where cancer is more preventable through advanced research. If successful, these therapies could be made available to patients eligible for bowel cancer screening, reducing their risk of developing new polyps and potentially preventing cancer.

Looking Forward: New Avenues in Cancer Prevention

The results of this trial will take several years to emerge, but if the findings are positive, they could provide substantial evidence supporting the use of certain medications or supplements in bowel cancer prevention. In addition to established lifestyle changes—such as quitting smoking, improving diet, and reducing alcohol intake—therapies like resveratrol supplements, aspirin, and metformin could become critical components of comprehensive cancer prevention strategies for at-risk patients.