title: Why cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition plus chemotherapy?
abstract: New approaches to treating cancers are needed. Preclinical studies have identified numerous candidate genes/proteins that promote the cancer process. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is a reasonable "target" because it is found in many epithelial tumors, has been shown to portend a poor prognosis, and is involved in many processes that promote cancer progression and chemotherapy resistance. Inhibition of COX-2 also has the potential to provide supportive care to patients with cancer. This article describes the rationale for performing a phase II trial of specific COX-2 inhibition in combination with chemotherapy to define toxicity and efficacy. However, as with most new therapies, phase III trials will be needed to determine whether specific COX-2 therapy is able to improve patient outcome with a reasonable safety profile.
authors.affiliation: Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, USA. chsweene@iupui.edu
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Sweeney
mesh_terms: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000502:physiology; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D007527:Isoenzymes; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases