(epharmanews) – Common anti-inflammatory drugs, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and Tolfenamic acid (TA), can reduce esophageal tumors, according to a new study conducted researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center Orlando.
The study was led by Pius Maliakal, PhD and Riyaz Basha, PhD, researchers at MD Anderson Orlando’s Cancer Research Institute. They found that Tolfenamic acid prevented the growth of new esophageal tumors and reduced their size in a rat model.
Tolfenamic acid has been found to decrease certain proteins that are critical for cancer cell growth and the progression of esophageal tumors.
There are many types of esophageal tumors, the most common of which is squamous cell carcinoma which is the result of heavy smoking and alcohol consumption. Another type is adenocarcinoma, which usually occurs in the lower portion of the esophagus.
It begins in the cells of mucus-secreting glands in the esophagus and is caused by chronic acid reflux.
MD Anderson Orlando researchers are at the forefront of Tolfenamic acid research. This same research time had found earlier that Tolfenamic acid limits tumor growth in pancreatic cancer. The researchers are prepared to begin a new Phase I Clinical Trial for pancreatic cancer patients using Tolfenamic acid in a few months.
Although Tolfenamic acid is commonly used as an anti-inflammatory in Europe, Asia and South America, it is still not approved in the United States. The researchers note that further research is needed Tolfenamic acid can be used as a safe and effective drug for esophageal cancer prevention.
