A selective COX-2 inhibitor differentially modulates tumor angiogenesis and growth in COX-2 expressing and COX-2 lacking pancreatic cancer in vivo: Abstract No. 4792
A popular drug used to treat arthritis worldwide has been found to promote tumor growth in specific types of human pancreatic cancer cells, according to a study presented by investigators with the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine.
In their studies, the researchers found that the anti-inflammatory drug nimesulide triggered the growth of blood vessels, or angiogenesis, in human pancreatic cells that do not express an enzyme called COX-2.
Nimesulide belongs to a class of so-called "super aspirins" that primarily work by blocking COX-2, thus inhibiting inflammation seen a variety of ailments including arthritis and even some cancers.
In fact, the UCLA study confirmed that nimesulide actually inhibited angiogenesis and tumor growth in pancreatic tumors that express COX-2.
"Basically, for the first time, we have shown that a selective COX-2 inhibitor can simulate tumor growth," said Guido E. Eibl, M.D., a researcher in the Hirshberg Pancreatic Cancer Laboratory at the UCLA School of Medicine.
"However, its effects, depend on whether the tumor expresses COX-2 or not," he added. Depending on
'"/>
Contact: Aimee Frank
amf@spectrumscience.com
202-955-6222
American Association for Cancer Research
30-Mar-2004