Risk of lung carcinoma among users of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs

BACKGROUND Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) inhibit the development of lung tumors in experimental animals. To the authors' knowledge there are little data regarding whether regular use of NSAIDs reduces the risk of developing lung carcinoma in humans. METHODS The association between lung carcinoma risk and regular use of NSAIDs, including aspirin, was evaluated in a hospital‐based case–control study of 1038 patients and 1002 controls. RESULTS The relative risk estimate of lung carcinoma associated with using NSAIDs 3 times a week or more for 1 or more years demonstrated an odds ratio (OR) of 0.68 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.53–0.89). Results were similar when separated by lung histologic type. The association varied by smoking status. The OR was1.28 (95% CI, 0.73–2.25) in never‐smokers and 0.60 (95% CI 0.45–0.80) in ever‐smokers. The smoking‐specific risk estimates for aspirin were similar to those for all NSAIDs. CONCLUSIONS The results of the current study suggest a possible chemoprotective benefit with the use of NSAIDs among individuals who are former or current smokers. Cancer 2003;97:1732–6. © 2003 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.11242 Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) inhibit the development of lung tumors in experimental animals. There are little data concerning whether regular use of NSAIDs reduces the risk of developing lung carcinoma in humans. This study suggests a possible chemoprotective benefit of using NSAIDs among individuals who are former or current smokers.