Pain Pills May Protect Against Brain Tumors

Treatment with aspirin, Advil (ibuprofen) and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may protect against a highly lethal type of brain tumor called glioblastoma multiforme, new research suggests.

As reported in the American Journal of Epidemiology, Dr. Niccole R. Sivak-Sears of Ohio State University in Columbus, and colleagues note that NSAIDs appear to reduce the risk of colon cancer. Because colon cancers and certain brain tumors arise from similar cell origins, they suggest that these two types of tumors may “perhaps share common preventive mechanisms as well.” The researchers conducted extensive in-person interviews with 236 subjects with glioblastoma multiforme (or their caregivers) and with 401 healthy subjects. Subjects were shown a list of generic and brand-name NSAIDs and were asked whether they had taken any of these medications in the 10 years prior to diagnosis, or in the case of healthy subjects, in the previous 10 years. Those who had taken a total of at least 600 such pills were considered to be regular users. Patients with glioblastoma multiforme were less likely than their healthy peers to report regular NSAID use. The researchers conclude that “if future studies corroborate this finding, NSAIDs might be considered candidates for prevention of this rapidly fatal tumor.” (SOURCE: American Journal of Epidemiology: Reuters Health News: June 2004.)