Effects of the inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 on human esophageal cancer cells: inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis.
Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) has been shown to be upregulated in a variety of tumors so that COX-2 may be a potential target in the treatment of cancer. In order to further explore the mechanism, we used RNA interference to study effects of the inhibition of COX-2 on esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) lines. Western blot analysis demonstrated that COX-2 expression was significantly reduced in ESCC cells treated with the COX-2-specific siRNA. Furthermore, the COX-2 siRNA treatment inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in ESCC cells. In addition, the combination treatment of COX-2 siRNA and acidum acetil salicylicum (aspirin) has a synergistic effect. Therefore, this combination has potential as an anticancer therapy for the treatment of ESCC.
Zhang
Li
L
Department of Digestive Diseases, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital University of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100050, China.
Tu
Jun
J
Yu
Zhong-Lin
ZL
Wu
Yong-Dong
YD
Xu
Cai-Min
CM
Zhang
Shu-Tian
ST
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000494:pharmacology; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002469:Cell Separation; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D014162:Transfection
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D001241:Aspirin