Suppression of Intestinal Polyp Development by Nimesulide, a Selective Cyclooxygenase‐2 Inhibitor, in Min Mice

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Abstract
Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) suppress colon carcinogenesis in man and experimental animals. However, conventional NSAIDs inhibit both cyclooxygenase (COX) isoforms, COX‐1 and COX‐2, and cause gastrointestinal side‐effects. Nimesulide, a selective inhibitor of COX‐2, is much less ulcerogenic. We, therefore, examined its influence on the development of intestinal polyps in Min mice. Female Min mice at 4 weeks old were given 400 ppm nimesulide in their diet for 11 weeks. This treatment resulted in a significant reduction of the numbers of both small and large intestinal polyps, the total being 52% of that in untreated control Min mice. The size of the polyps in the nimesulide‐treated group was also significantly decreased. The results suggest that nimesulide is a good candidate as a chemopreventive agent for human colon cancer with low toxicity.