The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy of selective COX-II inhibitor in patients with curative resection performed for locally advanced stomach cancer.

Cyclo-oxygenase (COX) is a family of enzymes regulating the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins. COX-II is an inducible enzyme, which may be upregulated when there are stimuli such as inflammation or hypergastrinaemia. Despite radical surgery, patients with stomach cancer of advanced stages often have a poor prognosis. Reported survival in those with diseases of stage IIIa or above is less than 40%. Methods to improve patients outcome have been explored for decades with little success. In the light of current understanding on the relation between COX-II and stomach cancer, selective COX-II inhibitor may be used as a novel adjuvant therapy after gastrectomy to prevent recurrence of gastric carcinoma. The advantages of COX-II inhibitors are being relatively non-toxic with minimal side effect.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Resectable advanced stomach cancer (Tumour stage ≥ T2N1 according to the 5th edition of UICC staging system) without peritoneal or distant metastases.
• Normal renal function

Exclusion Criteria:

• Solid organ metastases
• Poor performance status
• Already on long-term aspirin or NSAID
• Renal or hepatic dysfunction
• Bleeding disorder
• Hypersensitive to COX-II inhibitors/aspirin/NSAID
• No history of myocardial infarct or stoke