Biology and toxic effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) continue to be important therapeutically. The development of drugs that are highly COX-2 selective has led to interesting new findings about their effects and potential toxic reactions. This year there were interesting observations about the effects of individual NSAIDs on the gastrointestinal mucosa, risk factors for sustaining an NSAID-induced gastric or duodenal ulcer, and there has been progress in further understanding what may or may not work to prevent a toxic reaction. Furthermore, information has been gathered about the effects of NSAIDs on colorectal polyps and the development of cancers.