Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0027627 (metastases)
 103,950 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 levels are elevated in several types of human cancer tissues. Nonselective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) inhibit both the COX-1 and COX-2 protein, the two enzymes that convert arachidonic acids to prostaglandins. Regular use of such NSAIDs significantly reduces the risk and spread of some cancers. The objective of this study was to elucidate the molecular pathology of neoplasms that overexpress COX-2. Epidemiological data and clinical studies were analyzed and compared with results of studies of human tumor tissues, animal models, and cultured tumor cells. COX-2, but not COX-1, is highly expressed in human colon carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus, and skin cancer. COX-2 is inducible by oncogenes ras and scr, interleukin-1, hypoxia, benzo[a]pyrene, ultraviolet light, epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor beta, and tumor necrosis factor alpha. Dexamethasone, antioxidants, and tumor-suppressor protein p53 suppress COX-2 expression. COX-2 synthesizes prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) which stimulates bcl-2 and inhibits apoptosis, and induces interleukin-6 (IL-6) which enhances haptoglobin synthesis. PGE2 is associated with tumor metastases, IL-6 with cancer cell invasion, and haptoglobin with implantation and angiogenesis. Drastic reduction in polyp number results from COX-2 gene knockout as well as from selective COX-2 inhibition in a mouse model of human familial adenomatous polyposis. Nonselective NSAIDs, for instance aspirin, and selective COX-2 inhibitors such as celecoxib (SC-58635) and NS-398 suppress azoxymethane-induced colon carcinogenesis in rats. Aspirin, indomethacin, and ibuprofen decrease cultured lung cancer cell proliferation. Selective inhibition of COX-2 is preferable to nonselective inhibition. It reduces cancer cell proliferation, induces cancer cell apoptosis, and spares COX-1-induced cytoprotection of the gastrointestinal tract.
 ...
PMID:Molecular pathology of cyclooxygenase-2 in neoplasia. 1067 79

Previous retrospective studies suggest that the phase of the menstrual cycle at surgery (proliferative versus secretory) for breast cancer may significantly affect patient survival. Fluctuations during the menstrual cycle of the expression of genes involved in metastases in breast cancer tissue have also been reported. We hypothesized that the menstrual phase may also affect similar changes in gene expression of other cancers. We focused our attention on cancer of the uterine cervix because the hysterectomy specimen obtained at original surgery for the cancer can be used retrospectively to determine cycle phase. We analyzed tumor specimens from 36 premenopausal cervical cancer patients who had undergone hysterectomy as their primary treatment. We used reverse transcription-PCR to quantify gene expression during the different phases of the menstrual cycle as determined from the endometrial specimen. We explored a panel of genes that may affect metastatic propensity, namely, metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2), cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 (COX-1 and COX-2), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). A significantly higher level of TIMP-2 and COX-2 gene expression (P = 0.007 and 0.030, respectively) was detected during the proliferative phase compared to the secretory phase of the cycle. The expression of the other genes was not significantly affected by the stage of the menstrual cycle. The finding that TIMP-2 and COX-2 expression in cervical cancer may be affected by the stage of the menstrual cycle supports the hypothesis that ovarian hormones may affect the expression of genes involved in metastasis. These findings need to be replicated, and their implications for tumor angiogenesis, invasion, and metastatic propensity need to be explored both in human studies and in experimental models.
 ...
PMID:Expression of metastases-associated genes in cervical cancers resected in the proliferative and secretory phases of the menstrual cycle. 1115 16

The present study evaluated the significance of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), cyclooxygenase (COX) expression and p53 status in 55 patients with gastric adenocarcinoma and relationship of these molecular markers to tumor characteristics and metastatic potential. Immunohistochemical technique was used to identify the cellular location and distribution of the enzymes in the specific cells of gastric tumors. In gastric cancer tissue, the expression of inducible enzymes, iNOS and COX-2, increased significantly with increasing tumor stage (P=0.015, P=0.001, respectively), size (P=0.025, P=0.001, respectively) and the presence of metastases (P=0.002, P=0.015, respectively). The expression of constitutive enzymes, ecNOS and COX-1, followed the opposite pattern. COX-1 was significantly reduced in advanced gastric tumors (P=0.007) and tumors larger than 5 cm (P=0.007). Reduced expression of ecNOS was also observed in advanced gastric tumors; however, this did not reach statistical significance. 53% of gastric tumors showed accumulation of p53. This was significantly higher in advanced tumors (P=0.004), larger than 5 cm (P=0.015) with metastases (P<0.001). Gastric tumors positive for accumulation of p53 had significantly stronger expression of iNOS (P=0.018) and COX-2 (P=0.01) enzymes than tumors negative for this nucleophosphoprotein. We conclude, that tumor-associated nitric oxide production, as well as COX-2 overexpression, may promote gastric cancer progression by providing a selective growth advantage to tumor cells with non-functioning p53.
 ...
PMID:Expression of nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase, and p53 in different stages of human gastric cancer. 1156 94

The PC-3 Low Invasive cells and the PC-3 High Invasive cells were used to investigate the correlation of the COX-2 expression and its arachidonic acid metabolites, prostaglandins, with their invasiveness through Matrigel using a Boyden chamber assay. The COX-2 expression in PC-3 High Invasive cells was approximately 3-fold higher than in PC-3 Low Invasive cells while the COX-1 expression was similar in both cell sublines. When incubated with arachidonic acid, PGE2 was the major prostaglandin produced by these cells. PC-3 High Invasive cells produced PGE2 approximately 2.5-fold higher than PC-3 Low Invasive cells. PGD2 was the second most abundant prostaglandin produced by these cells. Both indomethacin (a nonspecific COX inhibitor) and NS-398 (a specific COX-2 inhibitor) inhibited the production of prostaglandins and the cell invasion. PGE2 alone did not induce the cell invasion of PC-3 Low Invasive cells. However, PGE2 reversed the inhibition of cell invasion by NS-398 and enhanced the cell invasion of the PC-3 High Invasive cells. In contrast, PGD2 slightly inhibited the cell invasion. These results suggest that in the PC-3 Low Invasive cells, COX-2-derived PGE2 may not be sufficient to induce cell invasion while in the PC-3 High Invasive cells, PGE2 may be sufficient to act as an enhancer for the cell invasion. Further, PGD2 may represent a weak inhibitor and counteracts the effect of PGE2 in the cell invasion.
Clin Exp Metastasis 2002
PMID:Requirement of cyclooxygenase-2 expression and prostaglandins for human prostate cancer cell invasion. 1249 88

A large number of epidemiological studies have shown that regular use of aspirinor other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) results in a 40-50% reduced risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). Furthermore, NSAIDs cause the regression of preexisting adenomas in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis and significantly inhibit tumor growth in animal models of CRC. To establish a CRC liver metastasis model, we implanted mouse colon tumor MC-26 cells into the splenic subcapsule of BALB/c mice, after which mice were given either standard chow or chow containing the cyclooxygenase (COX)-2-specific inhibitor rofecoxib, alone or in combination with the standard antineoplastic agents, 5-fluoruracil or irinotecan. After 14 days, mice that were given rofecoxib or irinotecan, but not 5-fluoruracil, had significantly smaller primary tumors and fewer metastases. Rofecoxib, at clinical anti-inflammatory plasma concentrations, enhanced the effects of both antineoplastic agents when used in combination. Biochemical analyses of the primary splenic tumor in rofecoxib-treated mice showed no alteration in COX-1 expression, but significant decreases in the expression of the tumor-promoting proteins COX-2, cyclin D1, cytosolic beta-catenin, matrix metalloproteinases-2 and -9, and vascular endothelial cell- derived growth factor. Rofecoxib also decreased growth-enhancing prostaglandin E(2) and tumor-suppressive interleukin-10, whereas antineoplastic interleukin-12 was increased. Two separate survival studies were performed. When mice were fed chow containing 0.01% rofecoxib beginning on day 0 after tumor cell implantation, which achieved clinical anti-inflammatory plasma concentrations, survival time was significantly longer compared with mice given control chow. After 30 days, mortality in the control group was 90%, whereas only one mouse (5%) treated with rofecoxib had died after 30 days. In the second survival study, all of the mice were initially fed with regular chow after tumor cell implantation. On day 7, mice were randomly divided into three dietary groups: control chow, low-dose (0.01%) rofecoxib chow, and high-dose (0.025%) rofecoxib chow. After 28 days, mortality was 100%, 20%, and 10% in control, low-, and high-dose rofecoxib fed groups, respectively. These studies demonstrate that rofecoxib decreases the growth and metastatic potential of CRC in mice through multiple mechanisms. These studies in mice also provide important information that supports the benefit of COX-2 inhibition, not only in the prevention of CRC, but also potentially in the treatment of this common malignancy. Clinical trials will be necessary to assess the utility of COX-2 inhibitors as adjuvant therapy for early-stage disease and as potential agents, either alone or in combination, with more established drugs, for the treatment of refractory CRC.
 ...
PMID:Inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 by rofecoxib attenuates the growth and metastatic potential of colorectal carcinoma in mice. 1256

Aberrant upregulation of COX-2 enzyme resulting in accumulation of PGE2 in a cancer cell environment is a marker for progression of many cancers, including breast cancer. Four subtypes of cell surface receptors (EP1, EP2, EP3, and EP4), which are coupled with different G-proteins, mediate PGE2 actions. Since migration is an essential step in invasion and metastasis, in the present study we defined the expression of EP receptors and their roles in migratory function of breast cancer cells of murine (C3L5) and human (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7) origin. Highly metastatic C3L5 and MDA-MB-231 cells, found to be highly migratory in a Transwell migration assay, were shown to accumulate much higher levels of PGE2 in culture media in comparison with nonmetastatic and poorly migrating MCF-7 cells; the levels of PGF2alpha and 6-keto-PGF1alpha were low in all cases. The elevated PGE2 production by metastatic cancer cells was due to COX-2 activity since dual COX-1/2 inhibitor indomethacin and selective COX-2 inhibitor NS-398 equally suppressed both basal and inducible (by IFN-gamma/LPS or Ca2+-ionophores) PGE2 accumulation. RT-PCR analysis revealed that murine C3L5 cells expressed mRNA of EP1, EP3, and EP4 but not EP2 receptors. On the other hand, human MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells expressed all the above receptors. High levels of expression of functional EP4 receptors coupled with Gs-protein was confirmed in C3L5 cells by biochemical assay showing a dose-dependent increase of intracellular cAMP synthesis in response to PGE2. EP receptor antagonists SC-19220, AH-6809, and AH-23848B, having highest affinity for EP1, EP1/EP2/DP, and EP4 receptors, respectively, variably inhibited migration of metastatic breast cancer cells. An autocrine PGE2-mediated migratory activity of these cells appeared to be associated predominantly with EP4 receptor-mediated signaling pathway, which uses cAMP as a second messenger. This conclusion is based on several observations: (1) selective EP4 antagonist AH-23848B effectively inhibited migration of both C3L5 and MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose-dependent manner; (2) exogenous PGE2 and EP4 agonist PGE1 alcohol increased migration of C3L5 cells; (3) forskolin, a potent activator of adenylate cyclase, as well as membrane-permeable analogues of cAMP (8-bromo-cAMP, dibutyryl-cAMP) stimulated migration of C3L5 cells; and (4) Rp-cAMPS, a selective protein kinase A inhibitor, reduced migration of C3L5 cells. Migration of poorly migratory MCF-7 cells remained unaffected with either PGE2 or EP4 antagonist. These findings are relevant for designing therapeutic strategies against breast cancer metastasis.
 ...
PMID:Role of prostaglandin E2 receptors in migration of murine and human breast cancer cells. 1449 27

Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is a C cell neoplasm-secreting calcitonin. Surgery remains the only treatment as the primary tumor and metastases resist radio- and chemotherapies. MTC produces high amounts of prostaglandins (PGs). Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs have an antitumoral effect, generally related to the decrease of PG levels. We assessed the therapeutic potential of indomethacin in a model of human (TT cells) tumors in nude mice. Indomethacin (1.5 or 2.0 mg/kg body weight.d for 7 wk) inhibited tumor volume by 49 or 77%, respectively, and decreased the plasma level of CT. Although the terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling method revealed few apoptotic nuclei, the number of proliferating cells was significantly decreased (Ki-67 antigen study). Immunological effector recruitment and vascular network was not modified by treatment. The inducible synthesis enzyme, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), was revealed only in infiltrating cells, both in treated and control tumors. The expression of the constitutive synthesis enzyme COX-1 was diminished, and the expression of 15-prostaglandin dehydrogenase, the key enzyme catabolizing PGs, was increased in treated tumors. Thus, our results demonstrated the potential of indomethacin, inhibitor of COX-1 and COX-2, to prevent MTC growth. The synthesis enzyme, COX-1, and the catabolism enzyme 15-prostaglandin dehydrogenase, could be involved in MTC development.
 ...
PMID:Tumor growth inhibition by indomethacin in a mouse model of human medullary thyroid cancer: implication of cyclooxygenases and 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase. 1473 30

Several studies have suggested that cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression is associated with parameters of aggressive breast cancer, including large tumor size, positive axillary lymph node metastases, and HER2-positive tumor status. Studies of mammary tumors in mice and rats have indicated that moderate to high COX-2 expression is related to the genesis of mammary tumors that are sensitive to treatment with nonspecific and specific COX-2 inhibitors. Moreover, these studies also suggest that mammary tumors are associated with high prostaglandin levels and induction of aromatase, a cytochrome P450 enzyme that catalyses estrogen production. Mechanistically, lack of apoptosis and increased angiogenesis and invasiveness have been implicated as mechanisms of tumor growth in COX-2-dependent mammary tumors. Based on these observations, clinical trials are evaluating adjunctive therapy with a selective COX-2 inhibitor, celecoxib, in combination with several regimens used in the metastatic and adjuvant or neoadjuvant settings of breast cancer. In addition, proof-of-principle trials are being conducted to ascertain the effects of celecoxib on known markers of proliferation, angiogenesis, and apoptosis. Finally, based on the apparent synergy between celecoxib and the aromatase inhibitor exemestane, the National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group is launching a phase III trial comparing exemestane with or without celecoxib against placebo in postmenopausal women with elevated risk of breast cancer. Results of these trials will help to define the role of celecoxib in the management and prevention of breast cancer. Epidemiologic evidence suggests the incidence of breast, colon, and lung cancers is inversely related to the use of aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which are nonspecific inhibitors of COX. COX-1 and COX-2 are enzymes that generate prostaglandins and thromboxanes from free arachidonic acid. Genetic approaches pursued in animal models and biochemical evidence obtained from human tumor cell lines have strongly implicated COX-2, an inducible enzyme, in many preinvasive and invasive human tumors. In this article we will first review data that point to COX-2 as an important indicator in the genesis of breast cancer and discuss planned and ongoing clinical trials evaluating specific COX-2 inhibitors in the treatment and prevention of breast cancer.
 ...
PMID:The role of COX-2 inhibition in breast cancer treatment and prevention. 1517 21

Evidence continues to accumulate that cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), an inducible COX isoform, represents a potential pharmacological target for the prevention and treatment of cancer, including tumors affecting the entire upper aerodigestive tract. Studies in experimental models of these malignancies show that selective COX-1 inhibitors reduce tumor formation and growth. Clinical studies have been initiated to determine the chemoprotective effects of selective COX-2 inhibitors in patients with oral leukoplakia and Barrett's esophagus, and other studies are assessing the feasibility of incorporating these agents into existing treatment modalities for patients with locally advanced or metastatic cancer.
 ...
PMID:COX-2 inhibition in upper aerodigestive tract tumors. 1525 27

Eicosanoid metabolism through cyclooxygenases (COXs) and lipoxygenases (LOXs) generates various lipids that play a role in squamous cell carcinogenesis. We used pairs of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines derived from primary and metastatic tumors of the same patient to analyze eicosanoid metabolites by ESI-LC/MS/MS and COX/LOX expression by western immunoblotting. The effects of celecoxib on eicosanoid synthesis and HNSCC cell growth were examined. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was the major metabolite in three of six cell lines. COX-2 was detected in three cell lines, which produced PGE2 (two from metastases). We found low expression of COX-1 at similar intensities for each pair of cell lines. 5-LOX was detected in all cells. Some expressed 12-LOX, 15-LOX-1, and 15-LOX-2, but there was no correlation between enzyme expression and endogenous product content. Exogenous arachidonic acid did not change the profile of eicosanoid biosynthesis. Low doses of celecoxib inhibited formation of PGE2 in UMSCC-14A cells by 84% as early as 6 hours. In contrast, 5-HETE, 12-HETE, and 15-HETE levels were increased by approximately 40-, 5- and 3-fold, respectively, with a decline to baseline levels within 24 hours. High dose celecoxib increased the 12-HETE level 2.3-fold after 3 days of incubation. Celecoxib inhibited growth of all HNSCC cell lines in a concentration-dependent manner regardless of their COX expression (IC50 values after 3 days; 33 to 62 microM). Our findings provide new informations about individual eicosanoids produced by HNSCC cells and their differential regulation by the selective COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib.
 ...
PMID:Eicosanoid metabolism in squamous cell carcinoma cell lines derived from primary and metastatic head and neck cancer and its modulation by celecoxib. 1546 20


1 2 3 Next >>