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CancerNORVITWENBITNCT00671346

NORVIT and WENBIT - Long-term Follow-up

An observational study of Cancer and Myocardial Infarction, run by Haukeland University Hospital at 2 sites in Norway.

Unknown status

Status not confirmed. The sponsor has not verified this record for over two years, so it may be out of date.

Official record
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Trial summary

Two large homocysteine-lowering B-vitamin intervention trials have been performed in Norway during the period 1998 to 2005, NORVIT and WENBIT. The main objective in these trials was to study the clinical effects of homocysteine-lowering therapy with folic acid and vitamin B12 in patients with established coronary… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 27 to 86 years
Type of treatment
Pill or oral medicine
How many people
6,839 participants
Where
2 sitesNorway
Study dates
Dec 1998to Jan 2021
Phase
Observational
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 27 to 86 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Study population: The study population for combined analyses consists of the of 3 749 + 3 090 = 6 839 men and women aged 27 - 86 years when randomised in the NORVIT and WENBIT trials between December 1998 and April 2004. All patients in NORVIT were randomised following an acute myocardial infarction, whereas patients in WENBIT were randomised following coronary angiography, of which 85% had stable angina pectoris, 10% had acute myocardial infarction and 5% had unstable angina pectoris at baseline.

Who may be able to join

  • Randomised in the Norwegian Vitamin Trial (NORVIT) or in the Western Norway B-Vitamin Intervention Trial (WENBIT)

Who cannot join

  • Withdrawn consent to participate in study cohort for post-trial observational follow-up

Trial locations and contacts

2 sites in 1 country.

Norway2 sites
  • Department of Heart Disease, Haukeland University Hospital

    Bergen, 5021

  • University of Tromsø

    Tromsø, 9037

Other trials in Norway

About this study

Official title: Combined Analyses and Long-term Follow-up in the Two Norwegian Homocysteine-Lowering B-Vitamin Trials NORVIT and WENBIT

Two large homocysteine-lowering B-vitamin intervention trials have been performed in Norway during the period 1998 to 2005, NORVIT and WENBIT. The main objective in these trials was to study the clinical effects of homocysteine-lowering therapy with folic acid and vitamin B12 in patients with established coronary artery disease. Follow-up was terminated for NORVIT on Marc 31st 2004 and for WENBIT October 5th 2005, and none of the two trials proved any protective effect of the B-vitamin intervention on cardiovascular outcomes.

There is so far no data on possible long-term effects following years of such B-vitamin treatment.

Read more

Thus, the main objective of the combinded NORVIT-WENBIT study will will be to evaluate the long-term effect of the B-vitamin intervention on incident life-style diseases including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporotic fractures and cancer.

A secondary object will be the identification of risk phenotypes or genotypes, and if such risk associations are midified by the B-vitamin intervention

Read the detailed description

The "homocysteine-hypothesis" of vascular disease has attracted considerable interest, as total plasma homocysteine levels can be easily lowered by folic acid and vitamin B12, raising the prospect that cardiovascular disease could be lowered by such B-vitamin supplementation.

Two large B-vitamin intervention trials have been performed in Norway during the period 1998 to 2005, NORVIT and WENBIT, both registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, identifiers NCT00266487 and NCT00354081, respectively. The main objective in these trials was to study the effects of homocysteine-lowering therapy with folic acid and vitamin B12 to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with established coronary artery disease. The B-vitamin intervention, which included vitamin B6 in a 2x2 factorial design, was identical in the two trials. Follow-up was terminated for NORVIT on March 31st 2004 and for WENBIT October 5th 2005. Results from the NORVIT trial was published April 2006 {Bonaa, 2006} and preliminary results from the WENBIT trial were presented at the annual congress of the European Society of Cardiology September 4th 2007 {Zegers, 2007}. The WENBIT trial is completed and submitted for publication early in year 2008.

So far, none of the B-vitamin intervention trials have shown any statistically significant favourable effect of homocysteine-lowering therapy with folic acid with or without concomitant vitamin B12 on cardiovascular events {Bazzano, 2006}. In NORVIT there was even a trend towards an increased risk of cardiovascular events (myocardial infarctions) in patients receiving the combination of folic acid, vitamin B12 and vitamin B6. This trend was not observed in WENBIT. However, the treatment with folic acid / B12 was associated With a more rapid progression of angiographic coronary atenoses {Løland, 2010}. Thus, the "homocysteine-hypothesis" of vascular disease has been attenuated through the emergence of these negative trial results, whereas a potential harmful effect of the B-vitamin intervention has been revealed.

There is so far no data on possible long-term effects following years of B-vitamin supplementation. By combining analyses and follow-up in the NORVIT and WENBIT cohorts, we will probably have some more answers both considering possible subgroup and long-term effects of the B-vitamin intervention.

Current data indicate that folate prevents cancer, especially breast and colorectal cancer. However, during the last few years several reports have challenged this assumption. Swedish observational studies found increased risk of colorectal cancer at high blood folate levels {Van Guelpen, 2006} and increased risk of prostate cancer at high levels of folate and vitamin B12 {Hultdin, 2005}. In a randomised trial with folic acid versus placebo to prevent colorectal adenomas, one found increased risk of cancer in the group receiving folic acid, especially of prostate cancer {Cole, 2007}. In a long-term follow-up of women taking high doses of folic acid throughout pregnancy one found a doubled risk of deaths attributable to breast cancer {Charles, 2004}. Recently it has been hypothesized that the implementation of folic acid fortification of foods may have been wholly or partly responsible for the observed increase in colorectal cancer rates in the USA and Canada in the mid to late 1990s {Mason, 2007}. This has led to new hypotheses that folate may prevent carcinogenesis but may enhance the growth of established cancer cells {Ulrich, 2007}. The question of possible adverse effects of folic acid supplementation will be of major importance when public health administrations decide whether to implement or enhance programs folic acid fortification of foods.

The effect of the B-vitamin intervention will also be studied in relation to other life-style diseases like diabetes and osteoprosis.

Additionally, the combined NORVIT-WENBIT cohort will used for observational studies evaluating new risk phenotypes or genotypes and their potential effect modification by the B-vitamin interventions.

Keywords
Cancer, Coronary artery disease, Myocardial infarction, Cerebrovascular stroke, Homocysteine, Vitamin B Complex, Folic acid, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B6, Pyridoxal phosphate, Osteoporotic fractures, Diabetes
Medical subject headings
Neoplasms, Myocardial Infarction, Stroke, Coronary Artery Disease, Osteoporotic Fractures, Diabetes Mellitus

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

Study groups in NCT00671346
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
1Participants in NORVIT and WENBIT allocated to daily oral treatment with folic acid 0.8 mg and vitamin B12 0.4 mg
2Participants in NORVIT and WENBIT allocated to daily oral treatment with folic acid 0.8 mg, vitamin B12 0.4 mg and B6 40 mg.
3Participants in NORVIT and WENBIT allocated to daily oral treatment with vitamin B6 40 mg.
4Participants in NORVIT and WENBIT allocated to daily oral treatment with placebo

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Possible effects of B-vitamin treatment on risk of developing cancer during the trial periods (completed by 2004 and 2005) and during post-trial follow-up.

    Measured: 1998-2014

Secondary outcomes (1)
  1. The possible effects of B-vitamin treatment on major cardiovascular events, all cause mortality and cause specific death during the trial periods (completed by 2004 and 2005) and during post-trial follow-up.

    Measured: 1998-2014

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted5 May 2008 (estimated)
  2. Study startDec 1998
  3. Primary completionDec 2020 (estimated)
  4. Study completionJan 2021 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Observational
Observational model
Cohort
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrolment
6,839 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT00671346
Sponsor's protocol ID
NSD-17895
Other IDs
REK-267.07, DT-08/00230-2/RVB, Hdir-08/623-
Acronym
NORVITWENBIT
Status last verified
Nov 2015
First submitted
29 Apr 2008
Last updated
5 Nov 2015
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No

Publications

  • Bonaa KH, Njolstad I, Ueland PM, Schirmer H, Tverdal A, Steigen T, Wang H, Nordrehaug JE, Arnesen E, Rasmussen K; NORVIT Trial Investigators. Homocysteine lowering and cardiovascular events after acute myocardial infarction. N Engl J Med. 2006 Apr 13;354(15):1578-88. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa055227. Epub 2006 Mar 12.

    PubMed 16531614
  • Bazzano LA, Reynolds K, Holder KN, He J. Effect of folic acid supplementation on risk of cardiovascular diseases: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. JAMA. 2006 Dec 13;296(22):2720-6. doi: 10.1001/jama.296.22.2720.

    PubMed 17164458
  • Clarke R, Armitage J, Lewington S, Collins R; B-Vitamin Treatment Trialists' Collaboration. Homocysteine-lowering trials for prevention of vascular disease: protocol for a collaborative meta-analysis. Clin Chem Lab Med. 2007;45(12):1575-81. doi: 10.1515/CCLM.2007.346.

    PubMed 18265450
  • Van Guelpen B, Hultdin J, Johansson I, Hallmans G, Stenling R, Riboli E, Winkvist A, Palmqvist R. Low folate levels may protect against colorectal cancer. Gut. 2006 Oct;55(10):1461-6. doi: 10.1136/gut.2005.085480. Epub 2006 Apr 25.

    PubMed 16638790
  • Hultdin J, Van Guelpen B, Bergh A, Hallmans G, Stattin P. Plasma folate, vitamin B12, and homocysteine and prostate cancer risk: a prospective study. Int J Cancer. 2005 Feb 20;113(5):819-24. doi: 10.1002/ijc.20646.

    PubMed 15499634
  • Cole BF, Baron JA, Sandler RS, Haile RW, Ahnen DJ, Bresalier RS, McKeown-Eyssen G, Summers RW, Rothstein RI, Burke CA, Snover DC, Church TR, Allen JI, Robertson DJ, Beck GJ, Bond JH, Byers T, Mandel JS, Mott LA, Pearson LH, Barry EL, Rees JR, Marcon N, Saibil F, Ueland PM, Greenberg ER; Polyp Prevention Study Group. Folic acid for the prevention of colorectal adenomas: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2007 Jun 6;297(21):2351-9. doi: 10.1001/jama.297.21.2351.

    PubMed 17551129
  • Charles D, Ness AR, Campbell D, Davey Smith G, Hall MH. Taking folate in pregnancy and risk of maternal breast cancer. BMJ. 2004 Dec 11;329(7479):1375-6. doi: 10.1136/bmj.329.7479.1375. No abstract available.

    PubMed 15591563
  • Mason JB, Dickstein A, Jacques PF, Haggarty P, Selhub J, Dallal G, Rosenberg IH. A temporal association between folic acid fortification and an increase in colorectal cancer rates may be illuminating important biological principles: a hypothesis. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2007 Jul;16(7):1325-9. doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-07-0329.

    PubMed 17626997
  • Ulrich CM, Potter JD. Folate and cancer--timing is everything. JAMA. 2007 Jun 6;297(21):2408-9. doi: 10.1001/jama.297.21.2408. No abstract available.

    PubMed 17551134
  • Ebbing M, Bleie O, Ueland PM, Nordrehaug JE, Nilsen DW, Vollset SE, Refsum H, Pedersen EK, Nygard O. Mortality and cardiovascular events in patients treated with homocysteine-lowering B vitamins after coronary angiography: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2008 Aug 20;300(7):795-804. doi: 10.1001/jama.300.7.795.

    PubMed 18714059
  • Ebbing M, Bonaa KH, Nygard O, Arnesen E, Ueland PM, Nordrehaug JE, Rasmussen K, Njolstad I, Refsum H, Nilsen DW, Tverdal A, Meyer K, Vollset SE. Cancer incidence and mortality after treatment with folic acid and vitamin B12. JAMA. 2009 Nov 18;302(19):2119-26. doi: 10.1001/jama.2009.1622.

    PubMed 19920236
  • Ulvik A, Ebbing M, Hustad S, Midttun O, Nygard O, Vollset SE, Bonaa KH, Nordrehaug JE, Nilsen DW, Schirmer H, Ueland PM. Long- and short-term effects of tobacco smoking on circulating concentrations of B vitamins. Clin Chem. 2010 May;56(5):755-63. doi: 10.1373/clinchem.2009.137513. Epub 2010 Mar 18.

    PubMed 20299681
  • Ebbing M, Bonaa KH, Arnesen E, Ueland PM, Nordrehaug JE, Rasmussen K, Njolstad I, Nilsen DW, Refsum H, Tverdal A, Vollset SE, Schirmer H, Bleie O, Steigen T, Midttun O, Fredriksen A, Pedersen ER, Nygard O. Combined analyses and extended follow-up of two randomized controlled homocysteine-lowering B-vitamin trials. J Intern Med. 2010 Oct;268(4):367-82. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2796.2010.02259.x.

    PubMed 20698927
  • Zuo H, Svingen GFT, Tell GS, Ueland PM, Vollset SE, Pedersen ER, Ulvik A, Meyer K, Nordrehaug JE, Nilsen DWT, Bonaa KH, Nygard O. Plasma Concentrations and Dietary Intakes of Choline and Betaine in Association With Atrial Fibrillation Risk: Results From 3 Prospective Cohorts With Different Health Profiles. J Am Heart Assoc. 2018 Apr 12;7(8):e008190. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.117.008190.

    PubMed 29650710

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

An observational study of Cancer and Myocardial Infarction, run by Haukeland University Hospital at 2 sites in Norway.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: status not confirmed, as of the sponsor's last update on 5 Nov 2015. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 2 sites in Norway. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

Results are not available in the source record.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Possible effects of B-vitamin treatment on risk of developing cancer during the trial periods (completed by 2004 and 2005) and during post-trial follow-up. (time frame: 1998-2014). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT00671346, which also lists 14 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 5 Nov 2015.

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