Cyclooxygenase-2 expression in animal cancers.
Abstract: Cyclooxygenase (COX; also known as prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase) is a key enzyme in the biochemical pathway leading to the synthesis of prostaglandins. A large amount of epidemiological and experimental evidence supports a role for COX-2, the inducible form of the enzyme, in human tumorigenesis, notably in colorectal cancer. COX-2 mediates this role through the production of PGE(2) that acts to inhibit apoptosis, promote cell proliferation, stimulate angiogenesis, and decrease immunity. Similarly, COX-2 is believed to be involved in the oncogenesis of some cancers in domestic animals. Here, the author reviews the current knowledge on COX-2 expression and role in cancers of dogs, cats, and horses. Data indicate that COX-2 upregulation is present in many animal cancers, but there is presently not enough information to clearly define the prognostic significance of COX-2 expression. To date, only few reports document an association between COX-2 expression and survival, notably in canine mammary cancers and osteosarcomas. Some evidence suggests that COX inhibitors could be useful in the prevention and/or treatment of certain cancers in domestic animals, the best example being urinary transitional cell carcinomas in dogs. However, determination of the levels of COX-2 in a tumor does not appear to be a good prognostic factor or a good indicator for the response to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy. Clearly, additional research, including the development of in vitro cell systems, is needed to determine if COX-2 expression can be used as a reliable prognostic factor and as a definite therapeutic target in animal cancers.
Publication Date: 2010-09-27 PubMed ID: 20876365DOI: 10.1177/0300985810379434Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Review
Summary
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The study examines the role of an enzyme known as COX-2 in tumorigenesis of animals, including dogs, cats, and horses, showing an upregulation in many animal cancers. The study concludes, however, that currently not enough data exists to define the prognostic significance or its potential as a therapeutic target in animal cancer treatment.
Understanding Cyclooxygenase-2 or COX-2
- Cyclooxygenase, also known as prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase, is an integral enzyme in the production of prostaglandins, which play a significant role in causing inflammation and pain in the body.
- COX-2 is an inducible form of this enzyme, known to be a key player in human tumorigenesis, especially in colorectal cancer. It promotes the production of PGE(2) that works to inhibit cell death, encourage cell proliferation, stimulate the formation of blood vessels, and suppress immunity.
Role of COX-2 in Animal Cancers
- Research suggests a similar role of COX-2 in the onset of certain cancers in domestic animals. Evidence indicates that many animal cancers exhibit COX-2 upregulation, meaning an increase in the production level of this enzyme.
- However, current data is insufficient to explicitly establish the prognostic significance of COX-2 expression in animals. Only a few studies show an association between COX-2 expression and survival, with notable instances in canine mammary cancers and osteosarcomas.
Potential of COX-2 Inhibitors in Animal Cancer Treatment
- Some evidence indicates that COX inhibitors, which are drugs that can reduce the production of prostaglandins, might prove useful in the prevention or treatment of certain cancers in domestic animals. Urinary transitional cell carcinomas in dogs serve as the best example for this suggestion.
- However, the research underlines that merely determining the levels of COX-2 in a tumor is not an effective prognostic factor, nor does it reliably indicate the potential response to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy.
- Therefore, it urges further focused research and the development of in vitro cell systems to definitively determine whether COX-2 expression can be used as a valid prognostic factor and therapeutic target in treating animal cancers.
Cite This Article
APA
Doré M.
(2010).
Cyclooxygenase-2 expression in animal cancers.
Vet Pathol, 48(1), 254-265.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0300985810379434 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Département de pathologie et microbiologie, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 Sicotte, St-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada. monique.dore@umontreal.ca
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cyclooxygenase 2 / genetics
- Cyclooxygenase 2 / metabolism
- Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / physiology
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / physiology
- Humans
- Neoplasms / enzymology
- Neoplasms / metabolism
Citations
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