Celecoxib (Celebrex®)
Celebrex® is the brand name of a drug known as celecoxib. Celecoxib is a type of drug known as “non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs” (NSAIDs).
NSAIDs are used as pain relief, to reduce inflammation and reduce temperature. Celebrex® is commonly used to treat arthritis and menstrual cramps.
Celecoxib is not recommended by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) for the treatment of brain tumours. It is important you speak to your healthcare team before making any changes to your treatment or taking new medications.
Celecoxib and brain tumours
A clinical trial was started in 2003 to investigate whether celecoxib could be beneficial for patients with a glioblastoma who were undergoing radiotherapy and taking medicines to manage their seizures. It was thought that celecoxib might be able to block the enzymes that are necessary for tumour growth.
The trial was stopped as the results from another study showed that a combination of temozolomide and radiation improved survival while the results of this trial were not showing a significant improvement in results.
Find out more about glioblastoma brain tumours.
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