Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026

A Data Integration Workflow to Identify Drug Combinations Targeting Synthetic Lethal Interactions
Published on: May 27, 2021
COX-2 inhibitors celecoxib and rofecoxib prevent oxidative DNA fragmentation
Christoph Matthias1, Marie Therese Schuster, Sabina Zieger
1Clinical Experimental Oncology, ENT Department, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany. christoph.matthias@med.uni-muenchen.de
Background:
Cyclooxygenase (COX) is the key regulatory enzyme in prostaglandin (PG) synthesis and is up-regulated in many premalignant and malignant lesions. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro DNA protective or damaging effects of COX-2 inhibitors using the single-cell gel electrophoresis (Comet) assay.
Materials And Methods:
Cells from miniorgan cultures of pharyngeal mucosa from 30 patients were incubated once or five times with the COX-2 inhibitors celecoxib and rofecoxib. After treatment with H2O2, DNA fragmentation was determined.
Results:
DNA strand-breaks were significantly reduced in cells pre-incubated with COX-2 inhibitors. Repeated incubation with celecoxib showed the strongest effect. This direct influence on DNA repair could be excluded by implementing DNA repair steps into the Comet assay.
Conclusion:
The findings suggest that, in addition to the known influence of COX-2 inhibitors on immune surveillance, neo-angiogenesis and cell proliferation, these substances may express a direct antimutagenic effect in conditions of oxidative stress.
Related Concept Videos
Inhibitors of Bacterial DNA Synthesis
Antiplatelet Drugs: Prostaglandin Synthesis, P2Y12 and Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors
Prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors, exemplified by the widely known aspirin, wield their power by irreversibly acetylating...
Pharmacogenetics of Drug Targets: β₂-Adrenergic Receptors, Apo E, Thymidylate Synthase
DNA Damage can Stall the Cell Cycle
Drugs for Peptic Ulcer Disease: Prostaglandin Analogs as Mucosal Protective Agents
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can induce peptic ulcers by inhibiting cyclooxygenase, decreasing...
DNA Topoisomerases
Types and Mechanism of action
Topoisomerases are divided into two main types. Type I...
