NSAIDs Might Just Protect Against Brain Tumors

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NSAIDs Might Just Protect Against Brain Tumors

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Jun 25 - Results of an epidemiological

case-control study suggest that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

(NSAIDs) might possibly be protective against development of glioblastoma

multiforme.

In the June 15th issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology, Dr. Niccole

R. Sivak-Sears of Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio and colleagues

note that NSAIDs appear to reduce the risk of colon cancer. Because

colorectal cancers and astrocytic brain tumors arise from common cellular

origins, they suggest that these two types of tumors may " perhaps share

common preventive mechanisms as well. "

The researchers conducted extensive in-person interviews with 236 subjects

with glioblastoma multiforme (or their caregivers) and with 401

population-based controls.

Subjects were shown a list of generic and brand-name NSAIDS and were asked

whether they had taken any of these medications in the 10 years prior to

diagnosis, or in the case of controls, in the previous 10 years. Those who

had taken a total of at least 600 such pills were considered to be regular

users.

Patients with glioblastoma multiforme were less likely than controls to

report such use of NSAIDs. The associations were not affected by patient

gender or NSAID category. For example, the odds ratio for aspirin use in

these patients was 0.51. For ibuprofen, the corresponding figure was 0.41

The researchers conclude that " if future studies corroborate this finding,

nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs might be considered candidates for

prevention of this rapidly fatal tumor. "

Am J Epidemiol 2004;159:1131-1139.