Celecoxib: Phase II data

Researchers at the University of New Mexico and colleagues reported data from a double-blind, crossover, U.S. Phase II trial in 101 evaluable former smokers showing that twice-daily 400 mg oral celecoxib significantly reduced the antigen KI-67 (MKI67; Ki-67) labeling index, a marker of cellular proliferation, as measured by bronchoscopy by 34% from baseline to 6 months vs. a 3.8% increase for placebo (p=0.04). The trial enrolled 137 former smokers who had >=30 pack-years of smoking and >=1 year of sustained abstinence from smoking. The researchers said that Phase III testing is needed to validate the results. Data were published in Cancer Prevention Research. ...