Prospective cohort comparison of flavonoid treatment in patients with resected colorectal cancer to prevent recurrence

World J Gastroenterol. 2008 Apr 14;14(14):2187-93. doi: 10.3748/wjg.14.2187.

Abstract

Aim: To investigate biological prevention with flavonoids the recurrence risk of neoplasia was studied in patients with resected colorectal cancer and after adenoma polypectomy.

Methods: Eighty-seven patients, 36 patients with resected colon cancer and 51 patients after polypectomy, were divided into 2 groups: one group was treated with a flavonoid mixture (daily standard dose 20 mg apigenin and 20 mg epigallocathechin-gallat, n = 31) and compared with a matched control group (n = 56). Both groups were observed for 3-4 years by surveillance colonoscopy and by questionnaire.

Results: Of 87 patients enrolled in this study, 36 had resected colon cancer and 29 of these patients had surveillance colonoscopy. Among the flavonoid-treated patients with resected colon cancer (n = 14), there was no cancer recurrence and one adenoma developed. In contrast the cancer recurrence rate of the 15 matched untreated controls was 20% (3 of 15) and adenomas evolved in 4 of those patients (27%). The combined recurrence rate for neoplasia was 7% (1 of 14) in the treated patients and 47% (7 of 15) in the controls (P = 0.027).

Conclusion: Sustained long-term treatment with a flavonoid mixture could reduce the recurrence rate of colon neoplasia in patients with resected colon cancer.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Apigenin / pharmacology
  • Catechin / analogs & derivatives
  • Catechin / pharmacology
  • Cohort Studies
  • Colon / pathology
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / surgery
  • Female
  • Flavonoids / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • Recurrence
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

Substances

  • Flavonoids
  • Apigenin
  • Catechin
  • epigallocatechin gallate