Positive Health Online

Abstract

CLOUSER and COLLEAGUES,  Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85719, USA. mclouser@u.arizona.edu  attempted to determine the role of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) development.

Background

Recent studies link the prostaglandin metabolic pathway to skin carcinogenesis expanding possibilities that cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors may be utilized in non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) chemoprevention.

Methodology

Using data from a study of the efficacy of retinol supplementation on incidence of NMSC, the authors sought to determine the role of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in NMSC development. Cox proportional hazards models describe the relationship between NSAID use and time to first squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) or basal cell carcinoma (BCC) among participants categorized by use pattern: continuous users (use for length of study duration), new users (use for less than study duration), and non-users.

Results

For SCC and BCC, there was a statistically significant protective effect for participants who reported use for less than the study duration (HR = 0.49, 95%CI 0.28-0.87 and HR = 0.43, 95%CI 0.25-0.73, respectively). Categorical examination of NSAIDs (aspirin (ASA) vs. non-ASA NSAIDs) showed significant effects for BCC among those using non-ASA NSAIDs for less than the study duration (HR = 0.33, 95%CI 0.13-0.80). For SCC and BCC, NSAID use of shorter duration and potentially more recent, was more protective than longer duration of use.

Conclusion

These results are counter to the idea that longer duration of NSAID use is more protective. Additional investigations are needed into the role NSAIDs play in the chemoprevention of NMSC.

References

Clouser MC, Roe DJ, Foote JA and Harris RB. Effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on non-melanoma skin cancer incidence in the SKICAP-AK trial. Pharmacoepidemiology & Drug Safety. 18(4): 276-83. Apr 2009.