Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Development and Maintenance of a Preclinical Patient Derived Tumor Xenograft Model for the Investigation of Novel Anti-Cancer Therapies
09:29

Development and Maintenance of a Preclinical Patient Derived Tumor Xenograft Model for the Investigation of Novel Anti-Cancer Therapies

Published on: September 30, 2016

NSAIDs and cancer prevention: targets downstream of COX-2

Yong I Cha1, Raymond N DuBois

  • 1Department of Medicine, Cell and Developmental Biology and Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-6838, USA.

Annual Review of Medicine
|November 15, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) show cancer risk reduction benefits. Further research into prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) signaling offers safer therapeutic targets beyond NSAIDs and coxibs.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and COX-2 inhibitors (coxibs) reduce cancer risk.
  • Adverse effects of NSAIDs and coxibs necessitate exploring alternative therapeutic targets.
  • Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is implicated in tumor microenvironment progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review molecular mechanisms of COX-2-derived PGE2 in cancer progression.
  • To identify novel therapeutic targets within the PGE2 signaling pathway.
  • To explore new pharmacologic strategies beyond traditional NSAIDs and coxibs.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of preclinical and clinical studies.
  • Analysis of prostaglandin (PG) signaling cascade.
  • Examination of COX-2 enzyme activity and downstream mediators.

Main Results:

  • NSAIDs and coxibs inhibit prostaglandin biosynthesis.
  • PGE2 is highly expressed in the tumor microenvironment.
  • PGE2 signaling plays a significant role in cancer progression.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding PGE2 signaling is crucial for developing novel cancer therapeutics.
  • Targeting downstream mediators of COX-2-derived PGE2 may offer safer treatment options.
  • Further research can lead to innovative pharmacologic approaches for cancer treatment.

More Related Videos

Synthesis and Characterization of an Aspirin-fumarate Prodrug that Inhibits NFκB Activity and Breast Cancer Stem Cells13:38

Synthesis and Characterization of an Aspirin-fumarate Prodrug that Inhibits NFκB Activity and Breast Cancer Stem Cells

Published on: January 18, 2017

Synthesis of a Borylated Ibuprofen Derivative Through Suzuki Cross-Coupling and Alkene Boracarboxylation Reactions08:56

Synthesis of a Borylated Ibuprofen Derivative Through Suzuki Cross-Coupling and Alkene Boracarboxylation Reactions

Published on: November 30, 2022

Related Concept Videos

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 Prevention02:59

Cancer Prevention

Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in an individual. About 50% of cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, eating healthy, and following a modest cancer prevention diet. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that populations with vegetable and fruit-rich diets have reduced the incidence of cancer. On the other hand, populations who have a diet rich in animal fat, red meat, junk food, or high calories are predisposed to cancer.
Some...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Cancer Prevention02:59

Cancer Prevention

Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in an individual. About 50% of cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, eating healthy, and following a modest cancer prevention diet. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that populations with vegetable and fruit-rich diets have reduced the incidence of cancer. On the other hand, populations who have a diet rich in animal fat, red meat, junk food, or high calories are predisposed to cancer.
Some...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Drugs for Peptic Ulcer Disease: Prostaglandin Analogs as Mucosal Protective Agents01:20

Drugs for Peptic Ulcer Disease: Prostaglandin Analogs as Mucosal Protective Agents

The gastric mucosa produces prostaglandins E2 (PGE2) and prostacyclin (PGI2), crucial in maintaining gastric health. They exert cytoprotective effects, including increasing bicarbonate secretion, releasing protective mucin, reducing gastric acid output, and preventing harmful vasoconstriction. These effects are mediated through various receptors, such as EP1, EP2, EP3, and EP4.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can induce peptic ulcers by inhibiting cyclooxygenase, decreasing...