Celebrex May Slow, Prevent Skin Cancers
Celebrex May Slow, Prevent Skin Cancers
Jan. 5, 2009 -- There is mounting evidence that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may help prevent or slow the growth of non-melanomaskin cancers.
In a study published today, the Cox-2 arthritis drug Celebrex was found to reduce the growth of basal cell skin cancers by 50% in some patients with a rare genetic condition that makes them highly susceptible to the tumors.
And in a separate study reported last May, people who took Celebrex daily for nine months had 60% fewer non-melanoma skin cancers than people who did not take the drug.
Celebrex and other Cox-2 inhibitors act on the cyclooxygenase-2 enzyme involved in inflammation.
Stanford University assistant professor of dermatology Jean Y. Tang, MD, PhD, says the findings suggest a role for the cyclooxygenase enzyme in the development of basal cell carcinoma and possibly other non-melanoma skin cancers.
"Basal cell carcinomas are the most common cancer in the United States," she says. "Even though these tumors are not lethal they can have a big impact on quality of life, and we have no way to treat them short of surgical removal."
Assess Your Risk for the 5 Most Common Cancers
In a study published today, the Cox-2 arthritis drug Celebrex was found to reduce the growth of basal cell skin cancers by 50% in some patients with a rare genetic condition that makes them highly susceptible to the tumors.
And in a separate study reported last May, people who took Celebrex daily for nine months had 60% fewer non-melanoma skin cancers than people who did not take the drug.
Celebrex and other Cox-2 inhibitors act on the cyclooxygenase-2 enzyme involved in inflammation.
Stanford University assistant professor of dermatology Jean Y. Tang, MD, PhD, says the findings suggest a role for the cyclooxygenase enzyme in the development of basal cell carcinoma and possibly other non-melanoma skin cancers.
"Basal cell carcinomas are the most common cancer in the United States," she says. "Even though these tumors are not lethal they can have a big impact on quality of life, and we have no way to treat them short of surgical removal."
Assess Your Risk for the 5 Most Common Cancers
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