Improving VEGF-targeted therapies through inhibition of COX-2/PGE2 signaling

Lihong Xu; Brad St Croix

doi:10.4161/23723548.2014.969154

Improving VEGF-targeted therapies through inhibition of COX-2/PGE2 signaling

Mol Cell Oncol. 2014 Dec 12;1(4):e969154. doi: 10.4161/23723548.2014.969154. eCollection 2014 Oct-Dec.

Authors

Lihong Xu¹, Brad St Croix¹

Affiliation

¹ Tumor Angiogenesis Section; Mouse Cancer Genetics Program; National Cancer Institute at Frederick; NIH ; Frederick, MD USA.

Abstract

Antiangiogenic agents targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) pathway play an important role in current cancer treatment modalities but are limited by alternative angiogenesis mechanisms. Recent studies suggest that enhanced signaling through a COX-2/PGE2 axis contributes to VEGF-independent tumor angiogenesis. Thus, COX-2/PGE2 inhibition may potentiate VEGF therapies.

Keywords: angiogenesis; axitinib; bevacizumab; celecoxib; cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2); endothelial; metastasis; non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); prostaglandin E2 (PGE2); vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).