Development of novel agents based on nitric oxide for the control of colon cancer

Nitric oxide-donating nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NO-NSAIDs) repre-sent a novel class of compounds that hold promise as agents for the control ofcolon cancer.They are derivatives of conventional NSAIDs that have been modi-fied by adding to them,via a spacer molecule,a nitric oxide releasing moiety.Theexpectation is that the combined effects of NO and the NSAID moiety will exceedthose of each structural component alone.Extensive work has demonstrated theirpotency and efficacy in preclinical models of colon cancer.The mechanism ofaction of NO-NSAIDs involves the modulation of several critical cellular signalingpathways,whereas the induction of a state of oxidative stress,at least by NO-aspirin,appears to be a major proximal event.Clinical trials are needed to assessthe role of NO-NSAIDs in the control of colon cancer.