The effect of aspirin treatment on the mucosal cyclooxigenase-2 (COX-2) activity in patients with Barrett's metaplasia: a follow up study

It is known that the increase of the COX-2 expression is an early step in the sequence of malignant transformations including Barrett's metaplasia and esophageal adenocarcinoma. Furthermore retrospective studies have shown a decreased incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma in patients on aspirin treatment. Aim: to determine changes of COX-2 expression in patients with esophageal metaplasia after acetyl-salicylic acid + proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment compared to PPI treatment alone. Patients and Methods: 103 patients were studied prospectively (M/F: 52/51, mean age: 54 years (25–77)) with average follow-up…