Drug may Prevent Colorectal Cancer

[Angel]

While recent reports have questioned the safety of COX-2 inhibitors as pain relievers, two new studies show one drug in this class can be used to successfully prevent colorectal cancer in high-risk individuals.

Both pieces of research point to the overproduction of the COX-2 enzyme as a key factor in the growth and spread of colorectal tumors. By stopping this enzyme from being produced, it is believed the drug can stop the development of precancerous tumors in people with a family history of the disease.

In one study, researchers from the Adenoma Prevention with Celecoxib Study treated about 2,000 patients with either one of two doses of celecoxib (Celebrex) or a placebo twice a day. Study participants underwent a colonoscopy after one year and again after three years.

Of those taking the placebo, 61 percent had one or more benign tumors detected. On the other hand, those patients on the active drug were found to have a 45-percent reduced risk of developing a tumor.

The other study, done as part of the Prevention of Colorectal Sporadic Adenomatous Polyps with Celecoxib Trial, used a similar approach in around 1,500 patients worldwide. These patients were randomized to either one dose of Celebrex or a placebo once a day. They also received a colonoscopy at the end of one year and three years. For this study, people with familial adenomatous polyposis were excluded.

The study was stopped after 33 months when researchers noted an increased risk for heart problems associated with the drug. Still, they analyzed the risk for developing pre-cancerous tumors and found a significantly lower risk of tumors in patients taking Celebrex.

Researchers say they are encouraged by these findings and hope clinical trials with COX-2 inhibitors will continue.