Sulindac inhibits colorectal tumour growth, but not prostaglandin synthesis in the rat.

We have determined the dose-response relationship between sulindac administration and inhibition of tumour growth in the rat. The effect of tumour-inhibiting doses of sulindac on the production of prostaglandin E in tumours and macroscopically normal colon was then examined. Growth of pre-existing tumours was significantly reduced following administration of sulindac at 0.1 (P=0.004), 1 (P=0.01), 3 (P<0.001) and 10 mg/kg b.d. (P=0.002) for 4 weeks. There was no significant difference in prostaglandin E synthesis between tumours from control rats and those treated with sulindac at either 3 or 10 mg/kg b.d. (P=0.09 and 0.4, respectively). Prostaglandin E synthesis was reduced by 33 and 32% in macroscopically normal tissue from these treatment groups. These data show that sulindac inhibits tumour growth at low doses and do not support a role for the inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis, by sulindac, in the inhibition of tumour growth.