Abstract
Targeting COX-2, a key-enzyme of the prostaglandin metabolism, for the treatment of cancer has been in the focus of researchers for about a decade. However, only recently has this topic been related to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCC is one of the most common cancers and a growing health problem worldwide. At present, only few promising treatment options are available, accentuating the urgent need for novel therapeutic approaches. Since the first report of COX-2 overexpression in HCC, several findings support the notion that selective COX-2 inhibition proves to be beneficial in this malignancy. This review focuses on recent discoveries regarding the pro-tumorigenic potential of COX-2 in HCC and the functional effects of COX-2 inhibition on molecular mechanisms of this malignancy. Of clinical interest, promising data from in vivo experiments and case studies suggest a beneficial effect of COX-2 inhibitors for HCC- therapy. Detailed analysis of COX-2- activated pathways and related mechanisms may enable the evaluation and design of even more specific and combinatorial treatment approaches in the future.
Keywords: prostaglandins, NSAIDs, Growth Factor Signaling, immune responses, proliferation
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title: Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) - A Therapeutic Target in Liver Cancer?
Volume: 13 Issue: 32
Author(s): Marco Breinig, Peter Schirmacher and Michael Andre Kern
Affiliation:
Keywords: prostaglandins, NSAIDs, Growth Factor Signaling, immune responses, proliferation
Abstract: Targeting COX-2, a key-enzyme of the prostaglandin metabolism, for the treatment of cancer has been in the focus of researchers for about a decade. However, only recently has this topic been related to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCC is one of the most common cancers and a growing health problem worldwide. At present, only few promising treatment options are available, accentuating the urgent need for novel therapeutic approaches. Since the first report of COX-2 overexpression in HCC, several findings support the notion that selective COX-2 inhibition proves to be beneficial in this malignancy. This review focuses on recent discoveries regarding the pro-tumorigenic potential of COX-2 in HCC and the functional effects of COX-2 inhibition on molecular mechanisms of this malignancy. Of clinical interest, promising data from in vivo experiments and case studies suggest a beneficial effect of COX-2 inhibitors for HCC- therapy. Detailed analysis of COX-2- activated pathways and related mechanisms may enable the evaluation and design of even more specific and combinatorial treatment approaches in the future.
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Cite this article as:
Breinig Marco, Schirmacher Peter and Kern Andre Michael, Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) - A Therapeutic Target in Liver Cancer?, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2007; 13 (32) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161207782360627
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161207782360627 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
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