Colon Cancer Clinical Trial
Colonoscopy Versus Fecal Immunochemical Test in Reducing Mortality From Colorectal Cancer (CONFIRM)
Summary
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is currently the second most common cause of cancer death in the United States, and one of the most preventable cancers. It has been shown in several randomized controlled trials that screening using fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) reduces CRC mortality by 13-33%. While there is strong consensus amongst experts regarding the value of CRC screening, the best approach to screening is not clear. Of the widely recommended modalities, FOBT and colonoscopy are the most commonly used within the United States. FOBT is inexpensive, non-invasive, and its use as a screening tool is supported by the highest quality evidence (i.e. randomized controlled trials). Moreover, newer FOBT, such as fecal immunochemical tests or FITs, have advantages over conventional FOBT in terms of both test characteristics and ease of use that make them quite attractive as a population-based screening tool.
While colonoscopy is invasive and has higher up-front risks and costs than FOBT, it does afford the opportunity to directly assess the colonic mucosa and is widely believed to be the best test to detect colorectal cancer. In addition, colonoscopy allows for the detection and removal of colorectal adenomas -a well recognized colorectal cancer precursor. There is indirect evidence that suggests colonoscopy is effective in reducing colorectal cancer mortality, but to date, no large clinical trials have been completed to support this assumption. While colonoscopy use is increasing, data is emerging that colonoscopy may not be as effective as previously believed. Prior support for colonoscopy as a screening test relied upon effectiveness estimates that now appear to be overly optimistic. Given the invasive nature of colonoscopy, the associated small, but real risk of complications, and dramatically higher costs than other screening tests, it is especially important to determine the true comparative effectiveness of colonoscopy relative to other proven non-invasive options.
The investigators propose to perform a, large, simple, multicenter, randomized, parallel group trial directly comparing screening colonoscopy with annual FIT screening in average risk individuals. The hypothesis is that colonoscopy will be superior to FIT in the prevention of colorectal cancer mortality measured over 10 years. Individuals will be enrolled if they are currently eligible for CRC screening (e.g. no colonoscopy in the past 10 years and no FOBT in the past 1 year) and are between 50 and 75 years of age. The investigators will exclude individuals for whom colonoscopy is indicated (e.g. signs or symptoms of CRC, first degree family member with CRC, personal history of colorectal neoplasia or inflammatory bowel disease).
All participants will complete baseline demographic, medication, and lifestyle questionnaires (e.g. diet, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory use, frequency of exercise) prior to randomization in a 1:1 ratio to either screening colonoscopy or annual FIT screening (Figure 1). Those testing positive by FIT will undergo evaluation to determine appropriateness for colonoscopy. Screening will be performed in a manner consistent with the currently accepted standard of care in order to determine the comparative effectiveness of the two screening strategies. Participants will be surveyed annually to determine if they have undergone colonoscopy or been diagnosed with CRC.
The primary study endpoint will be CRC mortality within 10 years of enrollment. The secondary endpoints are (1) the incidence of CRC within 10 years of enrollment and (2) major complications of colonoscopy. Mortality will be determined through queries of the VA Vital Status File. Cause of death will be determined primarily using death certificates from the National Death Index-Plus database, augmented by adjudication of medical records for known CRC cases where CRC is not listed as a cause of death on the death certificate. The investigators postulate that screening colonoscopy will result in a 40% reduction in CRC mortality over 10 years relative to annual FIT screening. Using a log-rank test with a 2-sided test of significance, =0.05, a sample size of 50,000 participants will be required to test the primary hypothesis with 82% power, assuming a 1% annual rate of crossover from FIT to colonoscopy and a 0.5% annual rate of loss to follow-up. The planned study duration is 12.5 years with 2.5 years of recruitment and 10 years of follow-up for all enrolled participants.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
Male and female adults aged 50-75 years of age
Veteran
Able to provide informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
Symptoms of lower gastrointestinal tract disease warranting colonoscopic evaluation, including:
More than one episode of rectal bleeding within the past 6 months
Documented iron deficiency anemia
Significant documented unintentional weight loss (>10% of baseline weight) over 6 months
Family history of CRC in a first degree relative at any age
Prior history of colonic disease including:
Inflammatory bowel disease (e.g. ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease)
One or more colorectal neoplastic polyps (i.e. adenomas)
Colorectal cancer
Prior history of colonic resection
Prior colonic examination, including:
Colonoscopy within the past 9.5 years
Sigmoidoscopy within the past 5 years
Barium enema within the past 5 years
CT colonography within the past 5 years
gFOBT or FIT in the past 10 months
Stool DNA test within the past 3 years
Pregnancy
Prisoner
Significant comorbidity that would preclude benefit from screening or pose significant risk for the performance of colonoscopy (e.g. severe lung disease, end-stage renal disease, end-stage liver disease, severe heart failure, recent diagnosis of cancer (with the exception of non-melanoma skin cancer))
Participation in a concurrent interventional study pertaining to the colon or rectum (including studies of colonoscopy or colorectal cancer screening. Waivers to this exclusion criteria can be requested and granted with the approval of the CONFIRM study co-chairs, the Cooperative Study Program and the leadership of the other study.
Likely inability to track the individual over time (e.g. no permanent address at the time of screening for study entry)
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There are 46 Locations for this study
Phoenix Arizona, 85012, United States
Little Rock Arkansas, 72205, United States
Fresno California, 93703, United States
Loma Linda California, 92357, United States
Long Beach California, 90822, United States
San Diego California, 92161, United States
West Los Angeles California, 90073, United States
Denver Colorado, 80220, United States
West Haven Connecticut, 06516, United States
Washington District of Columbia, 20422, United States
Gainesville Florida, 32608, United States
Miami Florida, 33125, United States
Orlando Florida, 32803, United States
Tampa Florida, 33612, United States
Decatur Georgia, 30033, United States
Honolulu Hawaii, 96819, United States
Chicago Illinois, 60612, United States
Indianapolis Indiana, 46202, United States
Louisville Kentucky, 40206, United States
Baltimore Maryland, 21201, United States
Boston Massachusetts, 02130, United States
Ann Arbor Michigan, 48105, United States
Detroit Michigan, 48201, United States
Minneapolis Minnesota, 55417, United States
Kansas City Missouri, 64128, United States
Saint Louis Missouri, 63106, United States
Manchester New Hampshire, 03104, United States
East Orange New Jersey, 07018, United States
Northport New York, 11768, United States
Durham North Carolina, 27705, United States
Salisbury North Carolina, 28144, United States
Cleveland Ohio, 44106, United States
Oklahoma City Oklahoma, 73104, United States
Portland Oregon, 97239, United States
Philadelphia Pennsylvania, 19106, United States
Providence Rhode Island, 02908, United States
Memphis Tennessee, 38104, United States
Dallas Texas, 75216, United States
Houston Texas, 77030, United States
Salt Lake City Utah, 84148, United States
White River Junction Vermont, 05009, United States
Richmond Virginia, 23249, United States
Seattle Washington, 98108, United States
Clarksburg West Virginia, 26301, United States
Madison Wisconsin, 53705, United States
San Juan , 00921, Puerto Rico
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