29.10.2004 – 09:01

Colon Cancer Concern

Leading Oncologists Say Up to 40 Percent of Newly Diagnosed Colon Cancer Patients Could Be Successfully Treated by Burgery and Chemotherapy

Vienna, Austria (ots/PRNewswire)

- Medical experts and patients call for early diagnosis to improve
chances of cure

According to leading oncologists, speaking today at the European
Society  for Medical Oncology, findings from the MOSAIC study
represent a significant  step forward in providing colon cancer
patients with a potential cure if  cancer is diagnosed and treated at
stage III of disease progression (before  the tumour has spread to
distant sites). The MOSAIC study is a major  international trial
investigating postoperative (or adjuvant) chemotherapy in  2,246
colon cancer patients.(1)

Colorectal cancer is the leading cause of cancer in Europe(2) and
the  fourth biggest killer worldwide, affecting about one in 20
people over a  lifetime.(3) About 70 percent of colorectal cancer
patients present with colon cancer.(4) Dr Norman Wolmark, Chairman of
the Department of Human Oncology at the Allegheny Cancer Center in
Pittsburgh and Chairman of the NSABP (National Surgical Adjuvant
Breast and Bowel Project), says, "In the US, we know that up to 40
percent of colon cancer patients present with stage III disease(5)
and we believe that the figures in Europe are very similar."

The adjuvant chemotherapy combination evaluated by the MOSAIC
trial was  shown to reduce the risk of relapse or death of stage III
colon cancer  patients by 25 percent compared to the current standard
therapy.(6) MOSAIC  findings demonstrate a significant increase in
disease free survival (DFS) in  patients receiving the new adjuvant
therapy compared to the current standard  treatment. In addition, the
new therapy demonstrates a favourable side effect  profile, distinct
from most anti-cancer agents, showing acceptable  tolerability in the
majority of patients.(1,7)

The results of the MOSAIC study represent the first significant
advance  in the management of early stage colon cancer in 15 years.
Lead investigator,  Dr Aimery de Gramont, Head of the Oncology
Department, Hôpital Saint Antoine,  Paris, says "The MOSAIC findings
show that surgical removal of the tumour  followed by combination
chemotherapy can be the first step on the road to a  cure for many
early stage colon cancer patients. They confirm the importance  of
adjuvant therapy in this setting".

Despite these advances, there is a lack of public awareness about
early  stage colon cancer and its treatment options. Colon cancer is
the cancer site  that offers the best chance of detection at a
pre-malignant stage through  screening and has a good prognosis if
detected early.(1)

Dr Wolmark adds: "There are still too many misconceptions about
chemotherapy, in particular that it is only relevant in advanced or
metastatic cancer. The truth regarding colon cancer is that is, if it
is identified early enough and effectively treated through resection
and adjuvant chemotherapy - the chances of survival and eventual cure
are extremely good for the majority of patients".

Jola Gore-Booth, Chief Executive of Colon Cancer Concern, agrees:
"Lack  of awareness is one of the main reasons colon cancer remains a
killer. There  is still considerable lack of knowledge and
embarrassment surrounding this  condition, which means that many
people do not recognise the symptoms or do  not act upon them. In
many cases, the cancer is at an advanced stage by the  time patients
are diagnosed and given treatment. We need to get across the  message
that colon cancer is curable if caught through early diagnosis and
treated appropriately, and encourage patients to act upon their
symptoms as  early as possible".

sanofi aventis

sanofi aventis is the world's third largest pharmaceutical
company,  ranking number one in Europe. Backed by a world-class
research and  development (R&D) organisation, sanofi aventis is
developing leading positions in seven major therapeutic areas:
cardiovascular disease, thrombosis, oncology, diabetes, central
nervous system, internal medicine and vaccines.

Colon Cancer Concern

Colon Cancer Concern (CCC) was founded in 1987 and is the UK's
leading national registered charity dedicated solely to colorectal
cancer. CCC is at the forefront of the campaign to combat colorectal
cancer in the UK, by raising awareness of the disease and by offering
support and advice to colorectal cancer patients and the healthcare
professionals, carers, family members and others working to help
them.

    References
    1. Andre, et al. Oxaliplatin, fluorouracil, and leucovorin as adjuvant
       treatment for colon cancer. N Engl J Med. 2004 Jun 3;350(23):2343-51
    2. United European Gastroenterology Federation. Public Awareness of
       Colorectal Cancer in Europe, 2003
    3. Bleiberg, et al. Colorectal cancer: a clinical guide to therapy.
       T&F STM ; 1st edition (December 20, 2001)
    4. Ellenhorn, et al. 'Colorectal and anal cancers' in Cancer
       Management, 8th ed, 2004 CMP Healthcare Media
    5. Kirkwood, et al. Current cancer therapeutics (4th edition), 2001
    6. Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)
    7. De Gramont, et al. Leucovorin and fluorouracil with or without
       oxaliplatin as first-line treatment in advanced colorectal cancer. J
       Clin Oncol 18: 2938-2947

Contact:

For further information contact: William Bratton, sanofi aventis, Tel
+ 33-(0)1-53-77-4167, Mob +33-(0)608-17-2943; Ian Beaumont, Colon
Cancer Concern, Tel +44-(0)207-381-9711, Mob +44-(0)7966-522-962