Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition and gastric cancer.
Epidemiological evidences suggest that chronic use of aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) might be associated with a reduced risk of gastrointestinal cancers, including gastric cancer. The pre-cancerous gastric lesions and gastric cancers over-expressed cyclooxygenase (COX)-2. This overexpression not only is associated with Helicobacter pylori infection, but also maybe due to exposure to carcinogens. Targeted inhibition of COX, especially the COX-2 isoform, can lead to growth inhibition and apoptosis of gastric cancer in vitro. Various mechanisms, including COX-dependent and COX-independent pathways, have been identified and will be discussed in this article. Animal xenograft models have confirmed the tumor suppressing effects of COX-2 inhibitors. Human studies are underway to examine the use of COX-2 inhibitor in the treatment of pre-cancerous lesions. COX-2 inhibitors have a promising role in the prevention and treatment of gastric cancer.
Jiang
Xiao Hua
XH
Department of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. bcywong@hku.hk
Wong
Benjamin C Y
BC
D000818:Animals; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000378:metabolism; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology
D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D007527:Isoenzymes; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases