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Drug developed in Tucson could stop colon cancer growth

New drug could stop colon cancer
Posted at 7:12 AM, Oct 10, 2017
and last updated 2017-10-10 10:17:43-04

The FDA is fast tracking a new drug developed by a company here in Tucson.

Cancer Prevention Pharmaceuticals spent nine years developing CPP-1X/sul. The drug could stop the growth of colon cancer.

How it works: CPP-1X/sul prevents polyps that lead to colon cancer from growing. By stopping the condition that leads to cancer, Cancer Prevention Pharmaceuticals is hoping to eventually end colon cancer-a disease that impacts more than 130,000 people each year. 

Some people are born with a genetic disorder, called FAP or Familiar Adenomatous Polyposis. If you have FAP, you have a nearly 100% risk of developing cancerous polyps.

The final clinical trial could be done as soon as the next year, but with the fast track designation from the FDA, this drug could get to patients within the next two years.

Cancer Prevention Pharmaceuticals is also working on a trial in colon cancer survivors to help prevent the replapse of colon cancer.

The treatment is only for adults right now, but Cancer Prevention Pharmaceuticals wants to develop a treatment for children and teens with this genetic condition because some kids can develop polyps as early as 9 or 10 years old.