Premium
Cyclooxygenase‐2: A novel molecular target for the prevention and treatment of head and neck cancer
Author(s) -
Lin Derrick T.,
Subbaramaiah Kotha,
Shah Jatin P.,
Dannenberg Andrew J.,
Boyle Jay O.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.10108
Subject(s) - medicine , cancer research , cancer , cyclooxygenase , head and neck cancer , carcinogenesis , angiogenesis , head and neck squamous cell carcinoma , head and neck , radiation therapy , chemotherapy , oncology , enzyme , biology , surgery , biochemistry
Cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2), an enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of prostaglandins, is overexpressed in a variety of premalignant and malignant conditions, including oral leukoplakia and squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Increased levels of COX‐2 may contribute to carcinogenesis by modulating xenobiotic metabolism, apoptosis, immune surveillance, and angiogenesis. In experimental models, newly developed selective COX‐2 inhibitors suppress the formation of tumors, including tongue cancer. These findings provided a rationale for a number of chemoprevention trials that are underway. Selective COX‐2 inhibitors also suppress the growth and metastases of established tumors and enhance the anticancer activity of both radiotherapy and chemotherapy in experimental animals. In this review, evidence is presented that inhibition of COX‐2 represents a promising strategy to prevent or possibly treat human head and neck cancers. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 24: 792–799, 2002