Does Celecoxib Have a Role in the Treatment of Patients with Colorectal Cancer?

The outcome of advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) has steadily improved with the addition of several novel agents. However, chemotherapy is associated with significant toxicities such as diarrhea and bone marrow suppression. Celecoxib has been associated with decreased gastrointestinal toxicity and improved chemotherapy tolerance in preclinical in vivo models, resulting in its investigation in CRC clinical trials. These trials failed to show any improvements in efficacy or reduction in chemotherapy-induced toxicity. This article summarizes relevant preclinical and clinical investigations of celecoxib in CRC.