|
The COX-2 drugs have four
potential indications currently:
- Signs and symptoms of both rheumatoid arthritis and
osteoarthritis
- Pain
- Cancer - treatment and prevention
- Alzheimer's disease
Searle and Pfizer's Celebrex has been launched for the acute
and chronic treatment of the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis
and rheumatoid arthritis, and has been approved as an
adjunct to surgery in the treatment of familial adenomatous
polyposis (FAP), an inherited condition that can lead to colon
cancer.
Merck & Co's Vioxx has been launched for osteoarthritis and
pain - both drugs are also in late phase trials assessing
them in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and cancer.
In December 1999, Celebrex was approved by the FDA for reducing
the number and size of precancerous colon polyps in patients
with FAP. Several studies have reported that cyclo-oxygenase-2
is expressed in these polyps, compared to normal adjacent
tissue.
The potential of Celebrex in limiting the progression of FAP
has been studied in susceptible individuals, and it was shown
to decrease the incidence of polyps in these patients by up
to 28%.
Monsanto Vice Chairman Richard De Schutter told IMS HEALTH's
Pharmaceutical
Company Profiles, "This shows a powerful cellular effect
which may be due to inhibition of angiogenesis."
Searle has five trials ongoing with the US National Cancer
Institute looking at the potential of Celebrex in the prevention
and treatment of different forms of cancer, including superficial
bladder cancer and actinic keratosis, a precursor to skin
cancer.
Available to buy and download now from IMS HEALTH:
30 Mar 2000, Copyright IMS HEALTH
|
