Musculoskeletal

Mouse studies suggest that COX-2 inhibition could help treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). In a mouse model of DMD, the COX-2 inhibitor Celebrex celecoxib decreased immune cell infiltration in tibialis anterior muscle and increased forelimb grip strength and sarcolemmal integrity in tibialis anterior muscle compared with vehicle. Next steps include investigating the mechanisms downstream of COX-2 inhibition.

Pfizer Inc. and Astellas Pharma Inc. market Celebrex to treat pain, adenomatous polyps, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. Pfizer also markets the drug to treat inflammation and has it in Phase II/III testing to treat skin cancer and Phase II testing for lung cancer. The pharma markets the injectable COX-2 inhibitor Rayzon parecoxib to treat pain...