A recent study of 60 patients with basal cell nevus syndrome treated with celecoxib found that those with less severe disease had a 20% increase in the number of basal cell carcinomas over 24 months, compared with a 50% increase in those taking placebo (Cancer Prev. Res. 2010;3:25-34). Celecoxib is also being investigated for use in GI, prostate, and lung cancers.
Finally, Dr. Elmets said, an ancient – and familiar – drink holds intriguing possibilities. The primary catechin in green tea, EGCG, (epigallocatechin-3-gallate) is a potent antioxidant that appears to reduce histologic and clinical damage from exposure to ultraviolet lights A and B. "When ECGC is applied topically or given to animals to drink in their water, they show a dramatic reduction in new skin cancers. In humans, it reduces UVA and UVB erythema," Dr. Elmets said.
Because of its broad antioxidant properties, EGCG is the subject of numerous clinical trials examining its potential in other cancers, Alzheimer’s disease, muscular dystrophy, photoaging, and weight loss.
Disclosures: Dr. Elmets has received research support from Pfizer Inc. and holds an intellectual property right on the use of EGCG as a skin cancer chemopreventive agent.