Resveratrol is purported to possess cancer preventive activity, especially for colon cancer, though its mechanisms of action are not well defined. Resveratrol is found in the skin of grapes and has anti-oxidative and pro-apoptotic effects on cancer cell lines in vitro. The main dietary sources of resveratrol are grapes, grape products, red wine and small amounts in mulberries. A prior report and compelling preliminary data from our laboratory suggest that resveratrol modulates Wnt signaling, a signaling pathway which is activated in over 85% of colon cancers. In this proposal, studies will be performed to define the actions of resveratrol on the Wnt signaling pathway in a clinical trial in which patients with colon cancer will receive treatment with resveratrol and correlative laboratory studies will examine its effects directly on colon cancer and normal colonic mucosa.

These studies will provide data on the mechanisms of resveratrol action and provide a foundation for future prevention trials, correlative studies and therapeutic clinical research with this agent.