Repurposing some of the Well-known Non-steroid Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) for Cancer Treatment

Drug repurposing is a strategy used to develop new treatments based on approved or investigational drugs outside the scope of their original clinical indication. Since this approach benefits from the original toxicity data of the repurposed drugs, the drug-repurposing strategy is time-saving, and inexpensive. It has a higher success rate compared to traditional drug discovery. Several repurposing candidates have been identified in silico screening and in vitro methodologies. One of the best examples is non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Tumor-promoting inflammation is one of the hallmarks of cancer, revealing a connection between inflammatory processes and tumor progression and development. This explains why using NSAIDs in the context of neoplasia has become a topic of interest. Indeed, identifying NSAIDs with antitumor activity has become a promising strategy for finding novel cancer treatment opportunities. Indeed, several commercial anti-inflammatory drugs, including aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac, celecoxib, tepoxalin and cyclo-valone, naproxen, and indomethacin have presented antitumor activity, and some of them are already in clinical trials for cancer treatment. However, the benefits and complications of using NSAIDs for cancer treatment must be carefully evaluated, particularly for cancer patients with no further therapeutic options available. This review article provides insight into the drug repurposing strategy and describes some of the well-known NSAIDs that have been investigated as repurposed drugs with potential anticancer activity.

Automated summary

Drug repurposing is a time-saving and cost-effective strategy that develops new treatments using approved or investigational drugs. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been identified as potential anticancer agents due to their anti-inflammatory properties. Several commercial NSAIDs, including aspirin and ibuprofen, have shown antitumor activity and are being evaluated in clinical trials for cancer treatment. However, the benefits and complications of using NSAIDs for cancer therapy need to be carefully evaluated, especially for patients with limited treatment options.