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| |  AGA: Aptosyn (Exisulind) Reduces Polyp Formation in Familial Adenomatous Polyposis CLEVELAND, OH -- May 23, 2000 -- Patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) -- an inherited condition of the colon that leads to colorectal cancer -- who received a drug known as exisulind (Aptosyn™) experienced up to a 53 percent reduction in colon polyp formation at one year compared with placebo, according to results of a multicenter study presented today at the annual meeting of the American Gastroenterological Association in San Diego. In addition, patients who took exisulind for 18 months exhibited up to a 71 percent reduction in polyps. The beneficial effect of exisulind was seen as early as six months and continued to benefit patients when taken chronically. FAP is an inherited condition in which hundreds to thousands of polyps develop, predominantly in the colon. If left untreated, these polyps will lead to colon or rectal cancer. Previously, no pharmaceutical agent had been shown to prevent colon polyp formation. "We have been waiting for the development of chemoprevention for colon polyps," said Carol Burke, Director of the Center for Colon Polyps and Cancer and gastroenterologist at the Cleveland Clinic, which led the study. "Exisulind has the potential to markedly alter the clinical management of this disease". FAP affects one in 8,000 people and is present in 50,000 American families. Children of an affected parent have a 50 percent chance of inheriting the gene that leads to FAP. Those who inherit the disease will eventually develop polyps and may pass the gene on to their own children. The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, founded in 1921, integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education in a private, non-profit group practice. At the Cleveland Clinic in 1999, nearly 1,000 full-time salaried physicians representing more than 100 medical specialities and subspecialties provided care through more than 1.7 million outpatient visits and nearly 50,000 hospital admissions for patients from throughout the United States and more than 80 countries. The Cleveland Clinic Health System was formed in 1996. In addition to The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, it also includes Cleveland Clinic Florida (a multi-specialty group practice and hospital), the Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital for Rehabilitation and Euclid, Fairview, Hillcrest, Huron, Lakewood, Lutheran, Marymount and South Pointe hospitals. With more than 3,000 available beds, the Cleveland Clinic Health System provides broad geographic coverage, a full continuum of care, high quality and low-cost health care to the populations it serves.
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