Nimesulide and indomethacin induce apoptosis in head and neck cancer cells.
BACKGROUND
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are known to inhibit the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX). There are two isoforms of the enzyme. Recent investigations indicate that both isoforms, COX-1 and COX-2, are involved in carcinogenesis.


METHODS
We investigated the effects of nimesulide, a COX-2 selective and indomethacin, a non-selective NSAID on the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines SCC-9 and SCC-25. Effects on cell numbers and apoptosis were assayed by cell counting, immunofluorescence and fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS). COX expression was examined by Western blotting.


RESULTS
The investigated cell lines express COX-1 and COX-2. Nimesulide and indomethacin induce apoptosis and cause a reduction of cell number. Incubation with NSAIDs upregulated COX-2 expression.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of our study on HNSCC cells together with data from different studies showing anti-cancer activity of NSAIDs suggest that COX inhibitors could play a role in HNSCC treatment and prevention.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel, Vienna, Austria. martina.pelzmann@aon.at
Martina
M
Pelzmann
Dietmar
D
Thurnher
Claudia
C
Gedlicka
Helga
H
Martinek
Birgit
B
Knerer
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000201:enzymology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D051545:Cyclooxygenase 1; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology*; D006801:Humans; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D007527:Isoenzymes; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D013449:Sulfonamides; D051545:Cyclooxygenase 1; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496511:PTGS1 protein, human; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases; C012655:nimesulide; D007213:Indomethacin