Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, cyclooxygenase-2, and colorectal cancer prevention

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, Despite proven screening strategies, less than 40% of eligible Americans undergo appropriate screening for colorectal cancer. Research evaluating the underlying defects responsible for hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer and familial adenomatous polyposis has provided insight into some of the molecular mechanisms responsible for familial and sporadic colorectal cancer, The signaling pathways involved in the development of colorectal cancer may provide effective targets for prevention and treatment, These targets include cyclooxygenase-2, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor- delta, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor- gamma, transforming growth factor- beta receptors, and the inducible-nitric oxide synthase, (C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.