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CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association Journal logoLink to CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association Journal
. 1993 Sep 1;149(5):595–602.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for the prevention of colon cancer.

D Turner 1, H J Berkel 1
PMCID: PMC1486021  PMID: 8364816

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the results of animal and human studies of the effect of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on neoplastic growth in the colon and to outline the possible mechanisms involved. DATA SOURCES: Research articles published in English before June 1992 were identified from MEDLINE. STUDY SELECTION: Nine articles on the polyp-cancer sequence were reviewed, 8 on the apparent pathophysiologic aspects of tumour inhibition by NSAIDs and 22 on animal and human research into the effect of NSAIDs on colon carcinogenesis. RESULTS: The results of animal and human research into the anticarcinogenic effect of NSAIDs suggest that the drugs are effective in preventing tumour growth in the colon. CONCLUSIONS: Intervention studies in humans are necessary to elucidate the therapeutic possibilities of NSAIDs, particularly in populations at increased risk for the development of colon cancer.

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Selected References

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