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NCI Drug Dictionary


indomethacin 
A synthetic nonsteroidal indole derivative with anti-inflammatory activity and chemopreventive properties. As a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), indomethacin inhibits the enzyme cyclooxygenase, thereby preventing cyclooxygenase-mediated DNA adduct formation by heterocyclic aromatic amines. This agent also may inhibit the expression of multidrug-resistant protein type 1, resulting in increased efficacies of some antineoplastic agents in treating multi-drug resistant tumors. In addition, indomethacin activates phosphatases that inhibit the migration and proliferation of cancer cells and downregulates survivin, which may result in tumor cell apoptosis. Check for active clinical trials or closed clinical trials using this agent. (NCI Thesaurus)
Synonym:Indometacin
US brand name:Indocin
Abbreviation:INDO
Chemical structure:1-(4-chlorobenzoyl)-5-methoxy- 2-methyl-1-H-indole-3-acetic acid