Size-dependent increase in prostanoid levels in adenomas of patients with familial adenomatous polyposis

Recent studies indicate that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have a chemopreventive effect against colorectal neoplasia. Nonsteroidal anti- inflammatory drugs inhibit cyclooxygenases, principal enzymes that mediate the formation of prostanoids. To determine whether prostanoids are involved in the pathogenesis of colorectal adenomas, we compared the levels of five major stable metabolic products of the cyclooxygenase pathway in the normal- appealing mucosa and in adenomas of patients with familial adenomatosis polyposis. Of 12 patients tested, 6 had elevated levels of at least one prostanoid in the adenomas. More importantly, the relative levels of three prostanoids [prostaglandin (PG)D₂, PGE₂, and 6-keto-PGF(1α)] were elevated in adenomas compared to normal-appearing mucosa from the same patients, and the resulting ratios were correlated with the size of the adenoma. These results suggest a role for prostanoids in progression of colorectal polyposis in familial adenomatosis polyposis patients.