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Expression of cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) in human esophageal cancer and in vitro inhibition by a specific COX‐2 inhibitor, NS‐398
Author(s) -
YU HONGPING,
SHI LUYUAN,
LU WENHONG,
SU YANHUA,
LI YUANYUAN,
XU SHUNQING
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of gastroenterology and hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.214
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1440-1746
pISSN - 0815-9319
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1746.2004.03345.x
Subject(s) - medicine , apoptosis , esophagus , esophageal cancer , dysplasia , cancer research , esophageal disease , in vitro , carcinogenesis , fragmentation (computing) , dna fragmentation , epithelium , pathology , cyclooxygenase , cancer , programmed cell death , enzyme , biology , ecology , biochemistry
Background: The purpose of the present paper was to study the expression of cyclooxygenase‐2 ( COX‐2 ) in normal squamous epithelium, squamous dysplasia and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the esophagus, to elucidate the role of COX‐2 in esophageal carcinogenesis, and to evaluate the in vitro effect and mechanism of a COX‐2 inhibitor, NS‐398, in inducing growth inhibition and apoptosis of human esophageal cancer cells. Methods: Biopsy specimens of esophageal dysplasia ( n = 21), and surgical resections of SCC ( n = 37) were compared with normal esophagus ( n = 37) and analyzed by RT‐PCR. Human esophageal cells were used for the study. Anti‐proliferative effect was measured by MTT, apoptosis was determined by DNA fragmentation assay. Results: Marked COX‐2 expression was shown in SCC and esophageal squamous dysplasia, and no marked COX‐2 expression was observed in the normal squamous epithelium, respectively. NS‐398 could inhibit esophageal cells growth in a dose‐dependent manner, induce apoptosis, and elevate caspase‐3 activity in vitro . Conclusions: This study provides evidence that COX‐2 is upregulated in the majority of cases of squamous dysplasia and SCC of esophagus, and that NS‐398 can inhibit growth and induce apoptosis via activating caspase‐3 activity in vitro . These results suggest that selective inhibitors of COX‐2 may be an effective preventive and therapeutic option for esophageal carcinoma.