Selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors inhibit growth and induce apoptosis of bladder cancer.
Selective COX-2 inhibitors such as celecoxib and NS-398 are being evaluated as chemopreventive and therapeutic agents for bladder and other cancers. We investigated the effects of these nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents on a panel of bladder cancer cell lines, and assessed their effects on anchorage-dependent and -independent growth, cell cycle, apoptosis and morphology. The human bladder cancer cell lines UM-UC-1, -3, and -6 were assayed for COX-2 expression by Western analysis using a monoclonal antibody to COX-2. UM-UC-1, -3, and -6 cells were grown in the presence of increasing concentrations of NS-398 and celecoxib, and cell growth was quantitated over 7 days by crystal violet elution. The cell lines were treated with NS-398 and celecoxib for 48 h and analyzed by flow cytometry with propidium iodide staining and Br-dUTP staining for apoptosis. Anchorage-independent growth was assessed using an agarose growth assay. Western analysis demonstrated that COX-2 expression in UM-UC-1, -6, and -3 was high, low, and undetectable, respectively. NS-398 and celecoxib produced dose-dependent growth inhibition of UM-UC-1 and -6. Both NS-398 and celecoxib also inhibited anchorage-dependent and -independent growth of UM-UC-3 in a dose-dependent fashion, despite the low basal expression of COX-2 in this cell line. Cell cycle analyses of UM-UC-1 and -6 revealed a 50% reduction in S-phase in the presence of 100 microM NS-398 whereas a smaller reduction in S-phase was noted in UM-UC-3 cells. Furthermore, treatment with 100 microM celecoxib resulted in significant apoptosis in all three cell lines, which was associated with downregulation of Bcl-2. COX-2 selective inhibitors NS-398 and celecoxib produced dose-dependent growth inhibition of bladder cancer cells associated with a significant reduction in S-phase. Induction of apoptosis in all three cell lines by celecoxib was associated with downregulation of Bcl-2. These changes occur independently of COX-2 expression levels suggesting the presence of a COX-2 independent pathway.
Gee
Jason
J
Department of Urology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA. gee@surgery.wisc.edu
Lee
I-Ling
IL
Jendiroba
David
D
Fischer
Susan M
SM
Grossman
H Barton
HB
Sabichi
Anita L
AL
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000068579:Celecoxib; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D009578:Nitrobenzenes / Q000494:pharmacology; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D011720:Pyrazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000494:pharmacology; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D009578:Nitrobenzenes; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D011720:Pyrazoles; D013449:Sulfonamides; C080955:N-(2-cyclohexyloxy-4-nitrophenyl)methanesulfonamide; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D000068579:Celecoxib