title: Targeting cyclooxygenase-2 in hematological malignancies: rationale and promise.
abstract: There is much interest in the potential use of Cox-2 selective inhibitors in combination with other cancer therapeutics. Malignancies of hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic origin often have increased expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2), a key modulator of inflammation. For example, hematological malignancies such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, Hodgkin's lymphoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and multiple myeloma often highly express Cox-2, which correlates with poor patient prognosis. Expression of Cox-2 enhances survival and proliferation of malignant cells, while negatively influencing anti-tumor immunity. Hematological malignancies expressing elevated levels of Cox-2 potentially avoid immune responses by producing factors that enhance angiogenesis and metastasis. Cellular immune responses regulated by natural killer cells, cytotoxic T lymphocytes, and T regulatory cells are also influenced by Cox-2 expression. Therefore, Cox-2 selective inhibitors have promising therapeutic potential in patients suffering from certain hematological malignancies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Bernard
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bancos
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Sime
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Phipps
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2