NSAIDs as Potential Anti-Cancer Agents

As we know, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are some of the most commonly used drugs for issues with pain as a result of inflammation. On the other side of the spectrum it should also be noted that NSAIDs have been shown to have adverse effects, such as gastrointestinal pain or peptic ulcer formation during cox-1 inhibition as well as cardiovascular complications during cox-2 inhibition. The point of this blog post is to explore yet another effect that NSAIDs may have on the body: an effect as anti-cancer agents.

One review article I found explains the results of a few studies that support this claim. According to the review, past studies have shown a direct link between long term NSAID usage and a decrease in colorectal polyps, or growths around the colon or rectum. Most of the time these polyps progress towards cancerous growths if left untreated. The NSAIDs work on these growths by stimulating apoptosis of the polyp's cells and inhibiting angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels). Inhibiting angiogenesis essentially cuts off the polyp's blood supply limiting the amount of nutrients its receives. The review discusses one specific study in which rats were given subcutaneous injections of a known carcinogen that works in the intestines and then subsequently given a a known concentration of an NSAID at varying points in time after exposure to the carcinogen. Traditional NSAIDS such as Aspirin were used, as well as selective cox-2 inhibitors such as Celecoxib. The results of the study were conclusive in that they showed a significant decline of tumor size in rat models by 40-60%, but did not show an overall elimination of the tumor.

The review went on to state some other interesting findings of the study. Results show that the rats that received NSAID treatment directly after subcutaneous carcinogen injection showed a greater suppression in tumor size compared to rats that received the NSAID treatment later on. This makes sense with what we would expect; if treatment is received closer to the onset of a disease, the individual should have a greater chance of the treatment being successful. Furthermore, the study showed that while traditional NSAID treatment is only effective in the preliminary stages of cancer formation, cox-2 selective inhibitors like refecoxib can be effective at later stages of cancer. The method behind this is misunderstood, and may prove to be a subject of further study. It is also noted that continued NSAID treatment is required to continue polyp suppression, which may cause GI tract/cardiovascular issues over extended periods of time. With all of the various effects that NSAIDs are found to have on the body, it seems as though those who understand the effects are left to make a choice - risk the negative effects of taking NSAIDs for the proven positive effects, or live with some pain and inflammation to decrease the potential for negative effects. I personally believe that moderation is key here, as it is in many cases.



Michael J. Thun, Et al. "Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs as Anti-Cancer Agents: Mechanistic, Pharmacologic, and Clinical Issues." Oxford Journals. 20 Feb. 2002. Web. 30 Nov. 2014.