Pharmacologic Substance
rofecoxib
[ roh-feh-kok-sib ]
Effect:
Decreased Prostaglandin Production
May Treat:
Dysmenorrhea;
Osteoarthritis
Definitions related to rofecoxib:
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A drug that was being used for pain relief and was being studied for its ability to prevent cancer and to prevent the growth of new blood vessels that tumors need to grow. It is a type of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and a type of antiangiogenesis agent. Rofecoxib was taken off the market in the U.S. because of safety concerns.NCI Dictionary of Cancer TermsU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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A synthetic, nonsteroidal derivative of phenyl-furanone with antiinflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic properties and potential antineoplastic properties. Rofecoxib binds to and inhibits the enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), resulting in an inhibition of the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins. COX-related metabolic pathways may represent key regulators of cell proliferation and neo-angiogenesis. Some epithelial tumor cell types overexpress pro-angiogenic COX-2. (NCI04)NCI ThesaurusU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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