5-Aminosalicylic acid and colorectal carcinogenesis: An in vitro study of its chemopreventive effects

While NSAIDs are well-accepted chemopreventive agents, severe and often frequent side effects associated with their long-term use has limited their use in clinic. Epidemiological evidence suggests that 5-aninosalicyclic acid (5-ASA) is an effective and safer alternative. This has indeed been demonstrated in subjects with chronic ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory disease affecting the colon that is associated with an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer. The mechanism by which 5-ASA confers protection against colorectal carcinogenesis independent of its anti-inflammatory activity is not well understood. In this study, the effects of 5-ASA on cell growth was determined in two different human colonic epithelial adenocarcinoma cell lines. 5-ASA was shown to inhibit growth of colon cancer cells in vitro. This growth inhibition appeared to be attributed to a reduction in cellular proliferation, and an increase in apoptosis. This study provides evidence that 5-ASA may have modulatory effects on colorectal carcinogenesis.