ARTICLE A Randomized Phase IIb Trial of Anethole Dithiolethione in Smokers with Bronchial Dysplasia Stephen Lam, Calum MacAulay, Jean C. le Riche, Yulia Dyachkova, Andy Coldman, Martial Guillaud, Ernest Hawk, Marie-Odile Christen, Adi F. Gazdar Affiliations of authors: S. Lam (Department of Respiratory Medicine), C. MacAulay, M. Guillaud (Department of Cancer Imaging), J. C. le Riche (Department of Pathology), Y. Dyachkova, A. Coldman (Department of Population and Preventive Oncology), British Columbia Cancer Agency and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; E. Hawk, Division of Cancer Prevention, Gastrointestinal and Other Cancers Research Group, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD; M.-O. Christen, Solvay Pharma, Suresnes, France; A. F. Gazdar, Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research and Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas. Correspondence to: Stephen Lam, M.D., F.R.C.P.C., 2775 Heather St., Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V5Z 3J5 (e-mail: sclam@interchange.ubc.ca). Background: Results from preclinical studies have suggested that the organosulfur compound anethole dithiolethione (ADT) may be an effective chemopreventive agent for lung cancer. We conducted a phase IIb study to determine the effects of ADT in smokers with bronchial dysplasia. Methods: One hundred twelve current and former smokers with a smoking history of at least 30 pack-years and at least one site of bronchial dysplasia identified by an autofluorescence bronchoscopy-directed biopsy were randomly assigned to receive placebo or ADT at 25 mg orally thrice daily for 6 months. Each subject then underwent a follow-up bronchoscopy-directed biopsy. We used changes in histopathologic grade and nuclear morphometry index (MI) as the primary and secondary end point biomarkers, respectively. Chi-square tests with continuity correction were used to compare response rates on a lesion- and person-specific basis between the two study groups. All statistical tests were two-sided. Results: One hundred one subjects had a follow-up bronchoscopy. In the lesion-specific analysis, progression rate of pre-existing dysplastic lesions by two or more grades and/or the appearance of new lesions was statistically significantly lower in the ADT group (8%) than in the placebo group (17%) (P<.001; difference = 9%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 4% to 15%). In the person-specific analysis, the disease progression rate was statistically significantly lower in the ADT group (32%) than in the placebo group (59%) (P = .013; difference = 27%, 95% CI = 6% to 48%). The two treatment groups did not differ statistically significantly in terms of nuclear MI. Among individuals with an abnormal nuclear MI before treatment (29 in the ADT group and 25 in the placebo group), the progression rate in the ADT group (41%) was substantially lower than that in the placebo group (60%), although the difference was not statistically significant (P = .28; difference = 19%, 95% CI = –11% to 49%). Adverse events were mostly minor gastrointestinal symptoms that resolved with dose reduction or discontinuation of the medication. Conclusion: Our results suggest that, in smokers, ADT is a potentially efficacious chemoprevention agent for lung cancer. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Vol. 94, No. 13, 1001-1009, July 3, 2002 © 2002 Oxford University Press Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.