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Recent advances in targeting COX-2 for cancer therapy: a review

Asmaa E Kassab1

  • 1Department of Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University Kasr El-Aini Street, P.O. Box 11562 Cairo Egypt asmaa.kassab@pharma.cu.edu.eg +20 2023635140 +20 2023639307.

RSC Medicinal Chemistry
|May 19, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) promotes cancer progression and is linked to cancer stem cells. COX-2 inhibitors, including NSAIDs, show anticancer potential and are key therapeutic targets.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) regulates prostaglandins and thromboxanes, influencing inflammation, angiogenesis, and cell division.
  • Overexpression of COX-2 is observed in premalignant tissues and various human cancers, potentially driving tumor growth, invasion, and survival.
  • COX-2 activity is implicated in cancer stem cell (CSC) functions, with CSC populations often exhibiting elevated COX-2 levels.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the multifaceted role of COX-2 in cancer development and progression.
  • To provide a comprehensive overview of current research on COX-2 inhibitors as anticancer agents.
  • To stimulate novel strategies for designing effective COX-2 inhibitors for cancer therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of scientific articles on COX-2, cancer, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
  • Analysis of pathways involved in COX-2-mediated cancer progression.
  • Evaluation of the therapeutic and chemoprotective potential of COX-2 inhibitors.

Main Results:

  • COX-2 metabolites contribute to tumor growth, metastasis, and apoptosis evasion.
  • NSAIDs demonstrate anticancer effects through COX-2 dependent and independent mechanisms.
  • COX-2 is identified as a critical target for cancer treatment and prevention.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting COX-2 offers a promising strategy for cancer therapy and chemoprevention.
  • Further research into COX-2 inhibitor design is crucial for developing more effective cancer treatments.
  • Understanding COX-2's role in cancer stem cells may lead to new therapeutic approaches.

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