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Updated: Mar 8, 2026

Cell Population Analyses During Skin Carcinogenesis
Published on: August 21, 2013
Cyclooxygenase in Cancer Prevention and Treatments for Actinic Keratosis
Gareth J Thomas1, Colin A Morton2
1Cancer Sciences Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK. G.Thomas@soton.ac.uk.
Abstract:
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a chemically diverse class of drugs that target the cyclooxygenase (COX) pathway and have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic properties. Elevated expression of COX-2 has been associated with tumor progression in skin cancer through multiple mechanisms. We present evidence for a chemoprotective effect of NSAIDs and discuss potential mechanisms of action of COX-2 in cancer. We also discuss the challenges associated with the treatment of actinic keratosis and the factors that should be taken into consideration when selecting a treatment regimen. A range of treatments are reviewed, with an emphasis on combination therapies.
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