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Reduction in the risk of breast cancer with the use of selective COX-2 inhibitors
We observed
a 71% reduction in the risk of breast cancer with the use of selective
COX-2 inhibitors, such as Celebrex and Vioxx, for two years or more.
Significant reductions were also observed for ibuprofen and regular
(325 mg) aspirin, but of lesser magnitude. We suggest that these
effects were produced by inhibition of COX-2, the rate limiting
enzyme of the prostaglandin cascade. Overexpression of COX-2 has
been linked to many components of carcinogenesis including the
local biosynthesis of estrogen by activation of the gene for aromatase.
We did not observe effects of acetaminophen or low dose (81 mg) aspirin,
neither of which has significant COX-2 activity.
Our
results underscore the major role of COX-2 overexpression in
mammary carcinogenesis and the potential for chemoprevention and quite
possibly therapy with selective COX-2 blocking agents. Since
COX-2 inhibitors may also reduce the risk of other
cancers and influence the cardiovascular system as well, additional
clinical studies focussed on dosage and duration are needed in order to
clarify how they might be used with the greatest beneficience.
Bibliographical reference:
Harris
RE et al.: "Reduction in the risk of human breast cancer by
selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors", BMC Cancer 2006,
6:27 (30 January 2006)
Randall E. Harris
Center of Molecular Epidemiology, College
of Medicine and Public Health, The
Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus,
Ohio
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