Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in pancreatic cancer and its correlation with p53

Selective COX-2 inhibitors for treatment of pancreatic cancer: Research progress

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is highly expressed in pancreatic cancer and closely related to the occurrence, development, differentiation, metastasis and prognosis of this malignancy. Selective COX-2 inhibitors have anti-tumor effects both in vivo and in vitro. In this paper we review the recent progress in research on the molecular characteristics of COX-2, the relationship between COX-2 and pancreatic cancer, and the use of selective COX-2 inhibitors for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Parecoxib inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in human pancreatic cancer cell lines BxPC-3 and AsPC-1

AIM: To investigate the effect of parecoxib on cell proliferation and apoptosis in human pancreatic cancer cell lines BxPC-3 and AsPC-1 and to explore possible mechanisms involved.

METHODS: After BxPC-3 and AsPC-1 cells were incubated with different concentrations of parecoxib, cell viability was measured by MTT assay to calculate the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50); cell apoptosis was evaluated by TUNEL assay; and the expression of COX-2 was detected RT-PCR.

RESULTS: Cell viability was apparently inhibited by parecoxib in both cell types, and the inhibitory effect was time- and dose-dependent. The IC50 values in the two cell lines were 400.98 μmol/L ± 10.78 μmol/L and 256.3 μmol/L ± 2.98 μmol/L, respectively. Treatment with parecoxib increased apoptosis rate and down-regulated COX-2 expression in both cell lines.

CONCLUSION: Parecoxib potently inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in human pancreatic cancer cell lines BxPC-3 and AsPC-1 possibly by suppressing the expression of COX-2.