[Anti-cancer treatment with prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor in animal models].
Carcinomas produce elevated quantities of prostaglandins (PGs), particularly the E series, which can play an important role in the suppression of the cellular immune reaction in tumor-bearing individuals. These findings have raised the possibility that PG synthetase inhibitor can restore the immune activity against tumors. The anti-tumor activity of indomethacin, a potent PG synthetase inhibitor, was investigated in mice implanted with colon carcinoma 38, colon carcinoma 26 and Lewis lung carcinoma in a series of model studies for cancer treatment in man. Treatment with indomethacin substantially reduced the levels of PGs, particularly PGE2 in tumor tissue, inhibited the tumor growth, particularly the early stage of cell proliferation, prolonged the survival time, eliminated tumors in the abdominal cavity, and inhibited metastatic tumor recurrence after surgery. Also, the treatment reduced the growth of human gastric and colon carcinomas transplanted into nude mice. Thus, indomethacin might also be effective against human carcinomas. It is postulated that PG synthetase inhibitor may prove to be a good therapeutic tool effective against human cancer when used in combination with chemotherapeutic and other immunotherapeutic drugs as well as with low-dose radiation therapy.
D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D008819:Mice, Nude; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000517:prevention & control; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D009360:Neoplastic Cells, Circulating; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000032:analysis
D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D011453:Prostaglandins; D007213:Indomethacin