title: Celecoxib for the treatment of atherosclerosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is widely accepted that inflammation plays a pivotal role in the progression of atherosclerosis. Anti-inflammatory drugs and especially selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors have attracted a keen interest.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the present drug evaluation article, the authors elucidate the role of celecoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, in the treatment of atherosclerosis. They discuss the atherogenic properties of the COX-2 enzyme. In addition, they address the studies that support an atheroprotective role of celecoxib. Moreover, they provide a review of the literature on the role of COX-2 inhibitors in increasing the rate of major adverse cardiovascular events. Finally, they discuss the emerging evidence that supports celecoxib as an adjuvant or neo-adjuvant therapy to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Several studies have demonstrated a beneficial effect of celecoxib on the progression of atherosclerosis. Nevertheless, this evidence is mainly derived from preliminary data, while a substantial number of clinical studies have raised concerns regarding the cardiovascular safety of COX-2 inhibitors. Interestingly, recent clinical studies have supported the advantages of short-term celecoxib administration in patients undergoing PCI. However, many more large scale clinical trials are required to assess the long-term safety and efficacy of celecoxib administration in patients with cardiovascular disease.
authors.affiliation: a Barts Heart Centre , St Bartholomew's Hospital , London , United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Papageorgiou
authors.affiliation: b 1st Department of Cardiology, Hippokration Hospital , University of Athens , Athens , Greece.
authors.forename: Effimia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zacharia
authors.affiliation: c Division of Cardiology , Wayne State University/Detroit Medical Center , Detroit , MI , USA.
authors.forename: Alexandros
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Briasoulis
authors.affiliation: d Vascular Physiology Unit, Institute of Cardiovascular Science , University College London , London , UK.
authors.forename: Marietta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Charakida
authors.affiliation: b 1st Department of Cardiology, Hippokration Hospital , University of Athens , Athens , Greece.
authors.forename: Dimitris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tousoulis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000068579:Celecoxib / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D000068579:Celecoxib
keywords: Celecoxib; atherosclerosis; cox-2 inhibitors; inflammation