Abstract ED09-01: Prevention of non-melanoma skin cancer with celecoxib

ED09-01

Cutaneous squamous cell and basal cell carcinomas are particularly common malignancies, the most common cause of which is overexposure to solar ultraviolet radiation. While physicians advise patients to apply sunscreens to prevent their occurrence, sunscreens are only modestly effective. In vitro studies and in vivo studies in animal models have suggested that prostaglandins and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) play an important role in the development of non-melanoma skin cancers. In Skh-1 hairless mice, the cyclooxygenase inhibitor celecoxib has been reported to prevent UV-induced skin tumors. In addition, immunohistochemical examination of human actinic keratoses and squamous cell carcinomas has shown that COX-2 expression is increased, whereas expression of this enzyme is not observed in normal skin. In order to determine whether these experimental findings are applicable to humans, we have conducted a phase II/III double blind multicenter placebo controlled clinical trial examining the efficacy and safety of celecoxib in adult patients at risk for actinic keratoses and non-melanoma skin cancers. The studies offer the possibility of additional options for the prevention of this common malignancy.

Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2008;1(7 Suppl):ED09-01.