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Aspirin for cancer

Abstract

Cyclooxygenase inhibitors are well known for their anti-inflammatory effects, but recent data indicate that they are also potent anti-angiogenics. The mechanisms by which nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs affect cyclooxygenase enzymes, peptic ulcers, angiogenesis and cancer are complex, but are worth sorting out (pages 1418–1423).

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Figure 1: Angiogenesis is essential for tumor development, and probably also for peptic ulcer healing.

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Shiff, S., Rigas, B. Aspirin for cancer. Nat Med 5, 1348–1349 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1038/70909

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