Background and purpose: Angiogenesis provides proper nutrition and helps to the development and spread of cancer cells. Cancer stem cells are a rare population of tumor cells responsible for initiation, spreading and growth of cancer. Angiogenesis occurs more in cancer stem cells compared with other cancer cells. Ibuprofen, as a member of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) group is used for prevention and treatment of certain cancers. In the present study, we investigated the effect of ibuprofen on angiogenesis in gastric cancer stem cells.

Materials and methods: Gastric cancer stem cells of MKN45 cell line was isolated by spheroid colony formation technique. Gastric cancer stem cells were treated with various concentrations of ibuprofen. The angiogenic properties in gastric cancer stem cells treated with ibuprofen was compared with control cells using two-dimensional angiogenesis.

Results: Angiogenesis reduced in the cancer stem cells treated with ibuprofen compared with the control cancer stem cells.

Conclusion: Ibuprofen decreased angiogenesis in gastric cancer stem cells.