Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can effectively prevent colon cancer by causing diseased stem cells with accumulated mutations to self-destruct, according to a news report by Science Daily.
Researchers said NSAIDs target stem cells that lead to cancer development and cause those cells to undergo "programmed cell death" or apoptosis. The researchers studied mice with genetic defects that are similar to adenomatous polyps, which accounts for approximately 1 percent of all colorectal cancer cases. Mice that ate the NSAID in their feed showed increased rates of apoptosis within just one week.
Researchers also found NSAIDs were less effective in destroying the mutated stem cells in mice that lacked a gene called SMAC, which releases a protein during apoptosis.
Read the Science Daily news report about NSAIDs and colorectal cancer.
Read other coverage about colorectal cancer:
- Tumor Location a Factor in Colorectal Cancer Mortality
- Type 2 Diabetes and Insulin Use Connected to Higher Rate of Colorectal Cancer in Men
Researchers said NSAIDs target stem cells that lead to cancer development and cause those cells to undergo "programmed cell death" or apoptosis. The researchers studied mice with genetic defects that are similar to adenomatous polyps, which accounts for approximately 1 percent of all colorectal cancer cases. Mice that ate the NSAID in their feed showed increased rates of apoptosis within just one week.
Researchers also found NSAIDs were less effective in destroying the mutated stem cells in mice that lacked a gene called SMAC, which releases a protein during apoptosis.
Read the Science Daily news report about NSAIDs and colorectal cancer.
Read other coverage about colorectal cancer:
- Tumor Location a Factor in Colorectal Cancer Mortality
- Type 2 Diabetes and Insulin Use Connected to Higher Rate of Colorectal Cancer in Men