The results of a case-control study with human breast cancer patients in a phase-II randomized trial suggest that the perioperative use of β-antagonists such as propranolol, and COX-2 inhibitors such as etodolac, can significantly block STAT and EGR3 (early growth response protein 3) pathways, which would favor tumor dissemination. The gene discussed is PTGS2; the disease is neoplasm.