NSAID-induced polyp regression in familial adenomatous polyposis patients

NSAIDs inhibit prostaglandin synthesis. In 1983, Waddell et al first reported that sulindac, a NSAID (Clinoril), caused regression of rectal adenomatous polyps in several patients with familial adenomatous polyposis, an inherited form of colorectal cancer. Subsequently, NSAIDs have been used as chemopreventive agents in animal carcinogenesis models and adenoma regression had been confirmed in human trials with sulindac. This article summarizes these developments and describes possible mechanisms of colorectal neoplasia chemoprevention.