Researcher Philippe Seksik, MD and colleagues presented a study at Digestive Disease Week 2009 which links thioprines (azathioprine [Imuran] and 6-mercaptopurine [Purinethol]) to a reduced risk of advanced colon cancer in patients with ulcerative colitis. People who have had long-standing ulcerative colitis (for more than 10 years) are at risk for developing colon cancer. Seksik and his team theorized that the use of some medications to treat ulcerative colitis may decrease this risk.
Colon Cancer and IBD
Lowering Your Risk of Colon Cancer
The decreased risk is thought to be a result of the anti-inflammatory effects of the thioprine medications on the colon. The risk of advanced colon cancer was found to be about 3 times less in the group receiving the thioprines.
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Source:
Beaugerie L, Seksik P, Carrat F, for the CESAME Study Group. "Thiopurine therapy is associated with a three-fold decrease in the incidence of advanced colorectal neoplasia in IBD patients with longstanding extensive colitis: the CESAME prospective data." European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation 2009. Abstract. 3 Jun 2009.
Beaugerie L, Seksik P, Carrat F, for the CESAME Study Group. "Thiopurine therapy is associated with a three-fold decrease in the incidence of advanced colorectal neoplasia in IBD patients with longstanding extensive colitis: the CESAME prospective data." European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation 2009. Abstract. 3 Jun 2009.
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