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Colon Cancer Research
Summary
The risk of colon cancer has been shown in several studies to be reduced 50-60% by aspirin like drugs, known as non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). One action of NSAIDs is to suppress prostaglandin synthesis by the inhibition of the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX). COX exists in two isoforms, COX-1 and COX-2. Both human and rodent tumours express high levels of COX-2, but not COX-1 messenger RNA. Using a rat tumour model, we are testing different NSAIDs to determine which is best at inhibiting tumour growth. The mechanisms by which NSAIDs inhibit tumour growth are not fully understood. We have studied the expression of COX-1 and COX-2 messenger RNA in tumours, before and after treatment with NSAIDs, using competitive PCR. We have found that some NSAIDs reduce the expression of COX-2 messenger RNA in tumours, while other do not. This indicates that not all NSAIDs work in the same manner. We plan to investigate the expression of other genes which are important in the growth and development of tumours. Such genes may be regulated by treatment with NSAIDs. It is anticipated that these studies will have significant implications for understanding and improving colon cancer chemoprevention.
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