Celecoxib – a painkiller that can slow cancer growth

Celecoxib (Celebrex by Pfizer), one of the prescribed pain and anti-inflammation drugs has potential to slow the growth of cancer, as per a study.

The study showed that the drug slows the growth rate of a specific kind of cancer in animal models and suggests the medication could have the same effect on other types of tumours.

The drug targets an enzyme called ‘cyclooxygenase-2’ (COX-2) which is linked to pain and inflammation.

‘Our study shows that COX2 inhibitors do have an effect on the tumor cells,’ said the study’s first author William Guerrant from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) in the US.

‘They also have an impact on inflammatory responses that play a role in tumour growth,’ Guerrant noted.

Analysis of the results showed a significantly slower tumour growth rate in celecoxib-treated animal models than in controls.