Research funded by The Entertainment Industry Foundation's National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance Confirms New Molecular Target for Colon Cancer Prevention

LOS ANGELES (February 2, 2004) - Raymond N. DuBois, M.D., and a team of researchers at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center - whose work was funded in part by the Entertainment Industry Foundation's National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance (EIF's NCCRA) - have uncovered key evidence on how a specific molecular target (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor) accelerates the growth of precancerous polyps. This finding is featured online this month in Nature Medicine.

"The more we understand the precursors of cancer, the closer we are to preventing the disease," said Raymond N. DuBois, MD, PhD, Hortense B. Ingram Professor of Molecular Oncology, Professor of Medicine and Associate Director of Cancer Prevention, Control and Population-Based Research at Vanderbilt-Ingram. "By confirming that this particular receptor promotes the growth of polyps in the colon, we can advance research into new therapies to block its activity and ultimately prevent polyps from becoming cancerous."

Previous studies have shown increased expression of the PPAR receptor in colon cancer tumors, but the receptor's role in cancer development had remained unknown. By studying a compound (GW501516) shown to be active at the receptor site, Vanderbilt researchers were able to confirm that the receptor activates the rate of polyp growth. Mice with a specific gene mutation (found in 80 percent of colon cancer patients) were given the compound and the rate of intestinal polyps increased by fivefold.

"EIF's NCCRA fundraising strategy is designed to fast-track research that is essential to unraveling the complex process by which colon cancer develops," said Lisa Paulsen, EIF's president and CEO. "We're confident that our collaboration with renown scientists will lead to breakthroughs that will knock colon cancer out of the ranks of leading cancer killers."

About Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death for both men and women in the U.S., causing more than 57,000 deaths last year, though it is also one of the most preventable, with a higher than 90% cure rate with early detection.

About National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance
The NCCRA is dedicated to the eradication of colon cancer by promoting education about the importance of early medical screening and funding cutting-edge research to develop better tests, treatments and ultimately, a cure. The NCCRA was co-founded in March of 2000 by journalist Katie Couric, cancer activist Lilly Tartikoff, and the Entertainment Industry Foundation. As a result of the attention NCCRA and NBC's TODAY Show have focused on colorectal cancer, the number of colonoscopy screenings has increased almost 20% since March 2000. Researchers at the University of Michigan have referred to this as the "Couric Effect."

About Entertainment Industry Foundation
NCCRA is a program of the Entertainment Industry Foundation. As the philanthropic nucleus of the entertainment industry, EIF has distributed hundreds of millions of dollars - and provided countless volunteer hours - to support charitable initiatives addressing some of the most critical issues facing society today.

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Media Contacts:

Judi Ketcik
Entertainment Industry Foundation
(818) 760-7722
jketcik@eifoundation.org