title: Induction of apoptosis by cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors in prostate cancer cell lines.
abstract: Prostaglandins are thought to play an important role in the proliferation of prostate cancer and are highly expressed in prostate cancer tissue. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), or prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase, is a key enzyme in the conversion of arachidonic acid into prostaglandin. In several cancers, COX-2 contributes to the proliferation and metastasis of cancer cells. To assess the role of COX-2 in prostate cancer, we investigated whether the inhibition of COX-2 affected the proliferation of prostate cancer cells. The human prostate cancer cell lines, LNCaP and PC 3, and a normal prostate stromal cell line (PrSC) were treated with COX-2 inhibitors NS 398 and Etodolac. The proliferation rate of the cell lines was examined using 3(4,5-dimethylethiazoly 1-2-) 2,5-diphonyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays. A DNA fragmentation assay was also used for proof of apoptosis. COX-2 inhibitors could suppress the proliferation of LNCaP and PC 3 cells. In contrast, PrSC was not affected by COX-2 inhibitors. These suppressive effects occurred in a time- and dose-dependent manner. One of mechanisms responsible for cell death was apoptosis. COX-2 seems to play a significant role in the progression of prostate cancer. COX-2 may be a therapeutic target for prostate cancer. Since COX-2 inhibitors suppress proliferation and induce apoptosis in prostate cancer cells, and have no effect in normal prostate stromal cells, COX-2 inhibitors will be useful for the treatment of prostate cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. kamijyo-uro@h.u-tokyo.ac.jp
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kamijo
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nagatomi
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kitamura
mesh_terms: D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D053938:DNA Fragmentation / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D017308:Etodolac / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009578:Nitrobenzenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology
chemical_list: D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D007527:Isoenzymes; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009578:Nitrobenzenes; D013449:Sulfonamides; C080955:N-(2-cyclohexyloxy-4-nitrophenyl)methanesulfonamide; D017308:Etodolac; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases