Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 18, 2026

Exploring the Pharmacological Action and Molecular Mechanism of Salidroside in Inhibiting MCF-7 Cell Proliferation and Migration
11:13

Exploring the Pharmacological Action and Molecular Mechanism of Salidroside in Inhibiting MCF-7 Cell Proliferation and Migration

Published on: June 9, 2023

[Cyclooxygenase 2 and breast cancer. From biological concepts to clinical trials]

Jean-Paul Guastalla1, Thomas Bachelot, Isabelle Ray-Coquard

  • 1Centre Léon-Bérard, 28, rue Laennec, 69008 Lyon. guastall@lyon.fnclcc.fr

Bulletin Du Cancer
|May 19, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Cyclooxygenases (Cox) are key in breast cancer development. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and dietary factors may reduce breast cancer risk by inhibiting Cox enzymes.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Context:

  • Cyclooxygenases (Cox) are crucial prostaglandin synthetase enzymes implicated in mammary carcinogenesis.
  • Research has established links between Cox enzymes and various factors including oncogenes, dietary products, transcription factors, and apoptosis regulators.

Purpose:

  • To explore the multifaceted roles and associations of Cyclooxygenases (Cox) in the context of breast cancer.
  • To review the evidence linking Cox enzymes to oncogenes, cellular pathways, and potential therapeutic interventions.

Summary:

  • Cox enzymes are linked to oncogenes (e.g., v-src, HER-2/neu), PUFAs, transcription factors (c-jun, c-fos), apoptosis regulators (Bax, Bcl-x(L), Bcl-2), CYP19 aromatase, NFkappaB receptor (RANKL), and angiogenesis factors (VEGF, TXA2).
  • No correlation was found between Cox2 expression and hormonal receptors. Epidemiological studies suggest reduced breast cancer risk with long-term NSAID use.
  • Dietary factors like resveratrol and unsaturated fatty acids may decrease Cox2 expression, warranting further human studies. Clinical trials are planned for celecoxib in breast cancer prevention and treatment.

Impact:

  • Highlights the significant role of Cox enzymes in breast cancer pathogenesis and progression.
  • Identifies potential therapeutic targets and preventive strategies, including NSAIDs and dietary modifications.
  • Informs future clinical trials investigating Cox inhibitors for breast cancer prevention and therapy.

Related Concept Videos

Cancer Therapies02:49

Cancer Therapies

Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells02:53

Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells

Cancer cells accumulate genetic changes at an abnormally rapid rate due to the defects in the DNA repair mechanisms. From an evolutionary perspective, such genetic instability is advantageous for cancer development. Mutant cell lines accumulate a series of beneficial mutations that contribute to their progression into cancer.
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells02:53

Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells

Cancer cells accumulate genetic changes at an abnormally rapid rate due to the defects in the DNA repair mechanisms. From an evolutionary perspective, such genetic instability is advantageous for cancer development. Mutant cell lines accumulate a series of beneficial mutations that contribute to their progression into cancer.
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
Inhibition of Cdk Activity02:34

Inhibition of Cdk Activity

The orderly progression of the cell cycle depends on the activation of Cdk protein by binding to its cyclin partner. However, the cell cycle must be restricted when undergoing abnormal changes. Most cancers correlate to the deregulated cell cycle, and since Cdks are a central component of the cell cycle, Cdk inhibitors are extensively studied to develop anticancer agents. For instance, cyclin D associates with several Cdks, such as Cdk 4/6, to form an active complex. The cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complex...
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...