| Exclusion Criteria: | 1) History of poorly controlled hypertension (systolic >150 mm Hg), angina, or other cardiac abnormalities or history of MI or CHF in the last 6 months.
2) General medical or psychological conditions which would not permit the patient to complete the study or sign the informed consent.
3) Pregnancy or women of child bearing potential who do not use an effective (for them) method of birth control throughout their participation in this study.
4) Patients who are currently receiving or have received amifostine for radioprotection within the prior six months are excluded.
5) Patient with history of malignancy other than skin cancer or Carcinoma in-situ within 2 years.
6) Patients who are allergic to Sulfonamides, NSAIDS or Celebrex will be excluded from this protocol.
7) Patients who use routine NSAIDS such as high dose daily use of Aspirin higher than 2 Gm per day will be excluded. Patients will be allowed to take low dose aspirin (less than 200 mg per day).
8) History of cardiovascular diseases that might include one of the following: myocardial infraction, angina, coronary angioplasty, congestive heart failure, stroke, or coronary bypass surgery in the last 6 months.
9) Family history of premature coronary disease (i.e. – onset < 55 years of age).
10) Uncontrolled hypercholesteremia [low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) > 200] more than twice in the repeated tests. Hypercholesteremia needs to be controlled following the updated National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III Guidelines for at least 3 months prior to enrollment on the study. Hypercholesteremia treatment should continue during the entire period of Celecoxib treatment on the protocol
11) History of deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, systemic lupus erythematous, family history of protein S or C deficiencies, prior heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, Factor V Leiden deficiencies or high homocysteine levels. |