Selective cyclooxygenase-2 ( COX-2 ) inhibitors may suppress carcinogenesis by both COX-2-dependent and COX-2-independent mechanisms.

Researchers at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, evaluated whether Celecoxib ( Celebrex ) or Rofecoxib ( Vioxx ), two selective COX-2 inhibitors, possess COX-2-independent antitumor activity.

They used PC3 and LNCaP human prostate cancer cell lines to investigate the growth inhibitory effects of selective COX-2 inhibitors in vitro.

COX-1 but not COX-2 was detected in PC3 and LNCaP cells.

Celecoxib inhibited the growth of both cell lines in vitro at clinically achievable concentrations, whereas Rofecoxib had no effect over the same concentration range.

Celecoxib inhibited cell growth by inducing a G1 cell cycle block and reducing DNA synthesis.

In un animal model the treatment with Celecoxib also led to a 52% reduction in tumor volume and a near 50% decrease in both cell proliferation and microvessel density.

Celecoxib caused a marked decrease in amounts of cyclin D1 both in vitro and in vivo.

According to results Celecoxib and Rofecoxib, two selective COX-2 inhibitors, possess different COX-2-independent anticancer properties.
The anticancer activity of Celecoxib may reflect COX-2-independent in addition to COX-2-dependent effects.

Source: Clinical Cancer Research, 2005


XagenaMedicine2005