title: Rofecoxib reduces polyp recurrence in familial polyposis.
abstract: The long-term (mean of 16.4 +/- 4.2 months) efficacy and safety of rofecoxib (a specific COX-2 inhibitor) in maintaining the colon free of polyps in familial polyposis patients was assessed. Eight patients were treated with rofecoxib 25 mg every day. Sigmoidoscopy/colonoscopy was performed at study entry and every six months. At each endoscopy the number, size, and histological grade of all polyps were assessed, and the polyps were removed. The drug was well tolerated with no significant adverse events throughout the study. A highly significant reduction in the rate of polyp formation (70-100%) was observed in all patients from a mean number of 15.1 +/- 11.7 at baseline to 6.0 +/- 5.8 at one year and 1.6 +/- 1.6 at the end of follow-up (P = 0.016 and 0.008, respectively). No patient developed cancer or high-grade adenoma. In conclusion, Long-term use of rofecoxib is well tolerated and effective in inhibiting polyp formation in polyposis patients.
authors: Gastrointestinal Oncology Unit, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Hallak
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Alon-Baron
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Shamir
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Moshkowitz
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Bulvik
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Brazowski
authors: Z
authors: Z
authors: Halpern
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Arber
mesh_terms: D011125:Adenomatous Polyposis Coli / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000328:Adult; D017209:Apoptosis; D002455:Cell Division; D003113:Colonoscopy; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007783:Lactones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D012812:Sigmoidoscopy; D013450:Sulfones; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D007783:Lactones; D013450:Sulfones; C116926:rofecoxib