Research Watch, Arthritis Drugs, August 2007

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ARTICLE: 'Rofecoxib and Cardiovascular Adverse Events in Adjuvant Treatment of Colorectal Cancer'

JOURNAL: The New England Journal of Medicine 2007 Jul 26;357(4):360-9

SUMMARY: The authors report on cardiovascular adverse events in patients receiving rofecoxib to reduce rates of recurrence of colorectal cancer. The trial was terminated prematurely owing to worldwide withdrawal of rofecoxib. To examine possible persistent risks, the authors examined cardiovascular thrombotic events reported up to 24 months after the trial was closed. Of the 23 confirmed cardiovascular thrombotic events, 16 occurred in the rofecoxib group during or within 14 days after the treatment period. …