While researchers have pointed out people should limit their intake of anti-inflammatory drugs, the benefit found is that those who take them have lower incidences of cancer, which is something to consider in looking at NSAIDS use in preventing cancer growth.
In a study appearing in Cancer Cell on June 15, investigators at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute (Sanford-Burnham) and their colleagues have figured out how one NSAID, called Sulindac, inhibits the growth of tumors.
The study reveals that Sulindac closes down cancer cell growth and causes cells to die by binding to nuclear receptor RXRα, a protein that receives a signal and carries it into the nucleus to turn genes on or off.
“Nuclear receptors are excellent targets for drug development,” explained Xiao-kun Zhang, Ph.D., professor at Sanford-Burnham and senior author of the study. “Thirteen percent of existing drugs target nuclear receptors, even though the mechanism of action is not always clear.”
Sulindac is prescribed for the treatment of pain and fever, and to help relieve symptoms of arthritis and related conditions. This new application for Sulindac as an anti-cancer treatment is important and negate some of the bad press NSAIDS has received.
Because of the problems with NSAIDS, researchers have created a new version of Sulindac they call K-80003 to decrease negative consequences and maintain the positive benefit of an anti-cancer drug. “Depending on the conditions, the same protein, such as RXRα, can either kill cancer cells or promote their growth,” Dr. Zhang said.
“The addition of K-80003 shifts that balance by blocking survival pathways and sensitizing cancer cells to triggers of apoptosis.”
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