title: The cyclooxygenase-2 pathway as a target for treatment or prevention of cancer.
abstract: Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, an inducible enzyme involved in prostaglandin biosynthesis, has attracted considerable attention recently, due to its role in human cancer biology. Several studies have correlated an increase in the expression of COX-2 with a poor clinical outcome, while epidemiological studies demonstrate a reduced risk of cancer mortality in persons with longterm, chronic ingestion of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Originally, these observations were made in patients with colorectal cancer, and subsequent studies suggest a protective role of NSAIDs in other human cancers as well. With the development of COX-2 specific inhibitors, numerous laboratory and clinical studies are underway to help understand the role of COX-2 in cancer and the potential use of COX-2 selective inhibitors for cancer treatment or prevention. This review focuses on the physiological function of COX, and the clinical rationale for evaluating COX-2 selective inhibitors for use in oncology.
authors: Colin G
authors: CG
authors: Crosby
authors: Raymond N
authors: RN
authors: DuBois
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D007527:Isoenzymes; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases