title: Prostaglandins and the colon cancer connection.
abstract: Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths throughout the world. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the few agents that are known to inhibit colorectal tumorigenesis. The mechanisms that underlie this effect are poorly understood. Two recent studies have provided some significant insight. Castellone and colleagues showed that prostaglandin E2 modulates the beta-catenin signaling axis, a key pathway for colorectal tumorigenesis. Holla and colleagues showed that prostaglandin E2 might act via a nuclear receptor. These findings shed light on the mechanisms that underlie prostaglandin action, and provide a molecular framework for developing future treatments for colorectal cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins Hospital, 401 N. Broadway Street, Suite 1440, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA. tim@jhmi.edu
authors.forename: Timothy A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D025601:Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D060466:Axin Protein; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000378:metabolism*; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D038362:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D000071679:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D057126:Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 2; D047495:PPAR gamma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D018078:Receptors, Prostaglandin E / Q000378:metabolism; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D025601:Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D060466:Axin Protein; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C539882:NR4A2 protein, human; D057126:Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 2; D047495:PPAR gamma; D018078:Receptors, Prostaglandin E; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D051176:beta Catenin; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D000071679:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta; D038362:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3; D015232:Dinoprostone