Radiosensitivity enhancement by celecoxib, a cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 selective inhibitor, via COX-2-dependent cell cycle regulation on human cancer cells expressing differential COX-2 levels.
To characterize the radiation-enhancing effects on human cancer cells and underlying mechanisms of celecoxib, a cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 selective inhibitor, and to ascertain whether its effects are COX-2 dependent. Clonogenic cytotoxicity assays and radiation survival assays after treatment with celecoxib +/- radiation were done on four human cancer cell lines that expressed differential COX-2 levels. Stably COX-2 knocked down or overexpressed cell lines were developed, and clonogenic assays, apoptosis assays, or cell cycle change measurements were conducted after treatment with celecoxib +/- radiation. Prostaglandin E(2) (PGE2) was applied to medium after treatment with celecoxib +/- radiation to determine whether the radiation-enhancing effect associated with celecoxib results from reduced generation of prostaglandin. Celecoxib's radiation-enhancing effect was observed in COX-2-expressing A549 and NCI-H460 cells but was not observed in the COX-2 nonexpressing MCF-7 and HCT-116 cells. Celecoxib's radiation-enhancing effects in A549 cells were shown to disappear after the administration of COX-2 knocked down. In contrast, the HCT-116 cells were radiosensitized by celecoxib after being transfected with COX-2 expression vector. The addition of PGE2 after treatment with celecoxib +/- radiation had no significant effects on celecoxib's radiation-enhancing effects in A549 and COX-2 transfected HCT-116 cells. Radiation-induced G2-M arrest was enhanced and sustained in the COX-2-overexpressing cells compared with that seen in COX-2 low-expressing cells. Celecoxib or NS-398 effected no changes or attenuated radiation-induced G(2)-M arrest in the COX-2-overexpressing cells but further enhanced the radiation-induced G(2)-M arrest in the COX-2 low-expressing cells. Celecoxib's radiation-enhancing effects seem to occur in a COX-2 expression-dependent manner in the cancer cells. This effect does not seem to be the result of reduced PGE2 generation. Celecoxib may exert an inhibitory effect on enhanced radiation-induced G2-M arrest in the COX-2-overexpressing cells, which may allow the arrested cells to enter mitosis and die after radiation, but may also further enhance radiation-induced G2-M arrest in the COX-2 low-expressing cells, by virtue of another mechanism.
Shin
You Keun
YK
Yonsei Institute for Cancer Research, Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Science, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, South Korea .
Park
Ji Sun
JS
Kim
Hyun Seok
HS
Jun
Hyun Jung
HJ
Kim
Gwi Eon
GE
Suh
Chang Ok
CO
Yun
Yeon Sook
YS
Pyo
Hongryull
H
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D000068579:Celecoxib; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000494:pharmacology; D045325:HCT116 Cells; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011720:Pyrazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011836:Radiation Tolerance / Q000187:drug effects; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000494:pharmacology*
D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D011720:Pyrazoles; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; D013449:Sulfonamides; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D000068579:Celecoxib; D015232:Dinoprostone