title: Potential utility of COX-2 inhibitors in chemoprevention and chemotherapy.
abstract: Increased prostaglandin (PG) production is associated with many inflammatory pathophysiological conditions; it is derived from arachidonic acid by either of two enzymes: cyclooxygenase-1 or -2 (COX-1 or COX-2). In addition to its role in inflammation, recent work suggests COX-2 derived prostaglandins may play a pivotal part in the maintenance of tumour viability, growth and metastasis. In this review, we summarise the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) epidemiological evidence, studies demonstrating overexpression of COX-2 in multiple human tumours and the pharmacological evidence in animal models which also support this hypothesis. We also discuss the potential functional roles of COX-2 activity during tumourigenesis, and speculate on the mechanism by which COX-2 inhibitors may exert their anticancer effects.
authors.affiliation: Monsanto Corporate Research, Monsanto/Searle Discovery Research, 700 Chesterfield Parkway North, Mailzone BB3K, Chesterfield, MO 63017, USA. ATKOKI@monsanto.com
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Koki
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Leahy
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Masferrer