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A Contemporary Review on the Critical Role of Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Agents in Colorectal Cancer Therapy

Parisa Zia Sarabi1, Mohammad Moradi2, Malihe Bagheri3

  • 1Laboratorio de Psicobiología, Campus Santiago Ramón y Cajal, University of Sevilla, 41018, Sevilla, Spain.

Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry
|January 26, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) show promise in colorectal cancer (CRC) chemoprevention by targeting key pathways. Combination therapies are explored to enhance efficacy and mitigate NSAID-related toxicity.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) are COX inhibitors with established roles in pain relief.
  • NSAIDs modulate critical cellular signaling pathways including WNT, MAPK, NF-κB, and PI3K/AKT/mTOR.
  • These pathways are implicated in the development and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of NSAIDs in colorectal cancer (CRC) chemoprevention and treatment.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms of action of NSAIDs in CRC.
  • To explore potential synergistic effects of NSAIDs in combination therapies for CRC.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of pre-clinical and clinical studies on NSAIDs and CRC.
  • Analysis of signaling pathways targeted by NSAIDs in cancer.
  • Evaluation of combination therapy strategies involving NSAIDs.

Main Results:

  • NSAIDs demonstrate potential in CRC chemoprevention through pathway inhibition.
  • Adverse effects and gastrointestinal toxicity are significant limitations of NSAID monotherapy.
  • Combination therapies may enhance efficacy and reduce toxicity, warranting further investigation.

Conclusions:

  • NSAIDs hold potential for CRC management, but their use is complicated by side effects.
  • Understanding NSAID-mediated signaling is key to optimizing their therapeutic application.
  • Further research into combination strategies is essential for effective and safe CRC treatment.
Keywords:
NSAIDscolorectal cancer.combination therapycyclooxygenase enzymesmalignancysignaling pathways

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