| First Author | Williams C | Year | 1999 |
| Journal | Ann N Y Acad Sci | Volume | 889 |
| Pages | 72-83 | PubMed ID | 10668484 |
| Mgi Jnum | J:60808 | Mgi Id | MGI:1353924 |
| Doi | 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1999.tb08725.x | Citation | Williams C, et al. (1999) The role of COX-2 in intestinal cancer. Ann N Y Acad Sci 889:72-83 |
| abstractText | Cyclooxygenase (COX), the key regulatory enzyme for prostaglandin synthesis is transcribed from two distinct genes. COX-1 is expressed constitutively in most tissues, and COX-2 is induced by a wide variety of stimuli and was initially identified as an immediate-early growth response gene. In addition, COX-2 expression is markedly increased in 85-90% of human colorectal adenocarcinomas, whereas COX-1 levels remain unchanged. Several epidemiological studies have reported a 40-50% reduction in the risk of developing colorectal cancer in persons who chronically take such nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as aspirin, which are classic inhibitors of cyclooxygenase. Genetic evidence also supports a role for COX-2, since mice null for COX-2 have an 86% reduction in tumor multiplicity in a background containing a mutated APC allele. These results strongly suggest that COX-2 contributes to the development of intestinal tumors and that inhibition of COX is chemopreventative. |
