NSAIDs may curb risk of cancer of the esophagus
Posted on: Tuesday, 8 November 2005, 11:35 CST
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The use of aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) appears to reduce the risk of cancerous progression in patients with Barrett's esophagus -- a condition in which cells that line the esophagus become abnormal that may be a precursor to cancer.
In The Lancet Oncology, published online on November 8, researchers note that previous studies have suggested that NSAIDs prevent the development of colorectal cancer. They suggest that these drugs may play a similar role in lowering the risk of esophageal cancer.
To test this theory, Dr. Thomas L. Vaughan, from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, and his associates prospectively followed 350 participants in the Seattle Barrett's esophagus project, for which baseline and follow-up assessments were performed between 1995 and 2003.
Interviews with the subjects established that 128 regularly used NSAIDs at baseline, while 74 reported having regularly used NSAIDs 1 year before the baseline interview.
The 5-year cumulative incidence of a type of cancer of the esophagus known as esophageal adenocarcinoma was highest (14.3 percent) for never users of NSAIDs and lowest (6.6 percent) for current users at baseline. The incidence of this type of cancer of the esophagus was 9.7 percent for former users of NSAIDs.
The finding that current users are more protected than previous users suggests to the team that "any protective effects are short term and disappear fairly quickly after discontinuation of use, as seems to occur in colorectal neoplasia."
The authors advise clinical trials be performed before NSAID use is recommended for protection against esophageal cancer.
SOURCE: The Lancet Oncology, online November 8, 2005.
Source: REUTERS
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