Polyps, often found in older adults, are benign tumors that are precursors to colon cancer.

A new Dartmouth clinical trial reported that the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor rofecoxib (VIOXX®) has been found to reduce the risk of developing colorectal adenomas, or polyps.

Extensive data have suggested in the past that aspirin and non-selective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) could reduce colon cancer risk, and this new study now demonstrates a similar effect for VIOXX®.

According to Dr. John Baron (lead author of the paper and a professor at Dartmouth Medical School) who has been studying chemoprevention of colorectal cancer for more than twenty years:

"These are exciting findings. They show once again the potential for NSAIDs to interfere with the development of cancer in the colon and rectum."

The said study, called APPROVe (Adenomatous Polyp Prevention on VIOXX®), was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial conducted by Merck (NYSE:MRK), maker of VIOXX®, in 108 sites in the United States and abroad and followed 2,587 patients with a recent history of confirmed colorectal adenomas.

Study results appeared online on August 30 at the American Gastroenterological Association website in advance of being published in the journal, Gastroenterology.

More details of the study results from Dartmouth College.