The effect of nimesulide, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, on Ets-1 and Ets-2 expression in head and neck cancer cell lines.
BACKGROUND
The protooncogenes Ets-1 and Ets-2 are involved in carcinogenesis of different tumors. Nimesulide, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor, has antiproliferative effects on tumor cells. The question arises whether nimesulide influences Ets-1 and Ets-2 synthesis in head and neck tumors.


METHODS
Expression of Ets-1 and Ets-2 was analyzed in tumor tissues by immunohistochemistry. The influence of nimesulide and an extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor on cell proliferation of two head and neck cancer cell lines and Ets-1 and Ets-2 expression was determined by automated cell counting and Western blotting, respectively.


RESULTS
Immunohistochemistry showed a high expression of Ets-1 and Ets-2 in tumor tissues. In both cell lines, Ets-1 and Ets-2 expression were reduced after 24 and 48 hours by nimesulide.


CONCLUSIONS
Both Ets-1 and Ets-2 are overexpressed in head and neck cancer specimens. Inhibition of Ets-1 and Ets-2 expression in head and neck cancer cell lines by nimesulide might explain the proapoptotic property of this COX-2 inhibitor.
Lamm
Wolfgang
W
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Gürtel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
Vormittag
Laurenz
L
Turhani
Dritan
D
Erovic
Boban M
BM
Czembirek
Cornelia
C
Eder-Czembirek
Christina
C
Thurnher
Dietmar
D
D015153:Blotting, Western; D017871:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D050784:Proto-Oncogene Protein c-ets-1 / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D050787:Proto-Oncogene Protein c-ets-2 / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000494:pharmacology*
D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; C494041:ETS1 protein, human; D005419:Flavonoids; D050784:Proto-Oncogene Protein c-ets-1; D050787:Proto-Oncogene Protein c-ets-2; D013449:Sulfonamides; D017871:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases; C093973:2-(2-amino-3-methoxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one; C012655:nimesulide