Attenuated Familial Adenomatous Polyposis

This phase IIa trial investigates if giving obeticholic acid (OCA) is safe and has a beneficial effect on the number of polyps in the small bowel and colon in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). FAP is a rare gene defect that increases the risk of developing cancer of the intestines and colon. OCA is a drug similar to a bile acid the body makes. It is fluid made and released by the liver. OCA binds to a receptor in the intestine that is believed to have a positive effect on preventing cancer development. OCA has been effective in treating primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), a liver disease, and is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use at a lower dose (10 mg). There have been studies showing that OCA decreases inflammation and fibrosis. However, it is not yet known whether OCA works on reducing the number of polyps in patients with FAP.

This phase II trial studies the side effects of erlotinib hydrochloride and how well it works in reducing duodenal polyp burden in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis at risk of developing colon cancer. Erlotinib hydrochloride may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth.