Fenofibrate for the Treatment of Patients with Cervical Dysplasia or Invasive Cervical Cancer
This phase I trial tests the safety, side effects, and how well fenofibrate works in treating patients with cervical dysplasia or invasive cervical cancer prior to standard therapy with surgery or chemoradiation. Cervical cancer remains a significant burden across the globe with limited options for treatment. Novel treatment strategies are needed to improve patient outcomes. The typical time from diagnosis of cervical dysplasia or invasive cervical cancer to initiation of treatment with standard therapy, surgery or chemoradiation, is usually 2-6 weeks. It is during this wait time that giving fenofibrate may benefit patients. Fenofibrate is in a class of medications called antilipemic agents and is used to lower cholesterol. It works by speeding the natural processes that remove cholesterol from the body. However, laboratory studies have suggested antitumor effects of fenofibrate and laboratory studies done on tumor cells have shown that fenofibrate can work to restore a gene known as p53. The p53 gene is part of the way the body prevents cancer from forming and restoring p53 function can change how cancers are able to develop and grow. Giving fenofibrate may be safe, tolerable and/or effective in treating patients with cervical dysplasia or invasive cervical cancer while waiting to start standard therapy with surgery or chemoradiation.