FDA Approves Use of Celebrex as Adjunctive Therapy for Familial Adenomatous Polyposis
Sherri Patterson, B.S.
Coordinator, Chemoprevention Research Programs

The U.S. FDA has approved the use of Celebrex™ as an addition to the treatment of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). In a clinical study sponsored by the Nation Cancer Institute (NCI) and conducted at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and at St. Mark's Hospital in London, Celebrex was found to be effective in reducing both the size and number of precancerous polyps in the colon and rectum. Seventy-seven patients with FAP were given either a placebo or Celebrex (100 mg or 400 mg twice daily) for 6 months in the NCI-sponsored trial. Researchers found that participants who took the higher dose of Celebrex had a 28% drop in the number of colorectal polyps compared with a 5% reduction in participants who took the placebo. The drug can now be used together with the traditional treatment of colonoscopy and surgery. The effect of Celebrex on the prevention of colon cancer has not yet been studied although clinical trials are currently under way to address this important issue. A similar study with Celebrex is currently beign conducted for patients with HNPCC. If you are interested in participating in these studies or if you would just like additional information, please contact Sherri Patterson at 1-888-502-8446 or via e-mail at spatterson@mail.mdanderson.org.