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As an FDA-approved adjunct to endoscopic surveillance, the selective cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitor celecoxib (Celebrex), as well as nonselective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as sulindac, can reduce the number and size of colonic adenomas in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Given the potentially adverse cardiovascular effects of celecoxib and the gastrointestinal toxicity of nonselective NSAIDs, researchers assessed the efficacy of the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) as an alternative.
In a manufacturer-funded trial, 58 adults with FAP were randomized to receive enteric-coated EPA capsules (500 mg twice daily) or placebo for 6 months and were then crossed over to the o…