Review
Version 1
This version is not peer-reviewed
Role of Cyclooxygenase-2 in Head and Neck Cancers
Version 1
: Received: 2 November 2020 / Approved: 3 November 2020 / Online: 3 November 2020 (15:14:13 CET)
A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.
Frejborg, E.; Salo, T.; Salem, A. Role of Cyclooxygenase-2 in Head and Neck Tumorigenesis. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21, 9246. Frejborg, E.; Salo, T.; Salem, A. Role of Cyclooxygenase-2 in Head and Neck Tumorigenesis. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21, 9246.
Abstract
The cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is a potent enzyme that converts arachidonic acid to prostaglandins (PG), including PGE2, a key mediator of inflammation and angiogenesis. Importantly, COX-2 is activated in response to inflammatory stimuli, where it is also believed to promote the development and progression of head and neck cancers (HNC). COX-2 can mediate its protumorigenic effect through various mechanisms such as inducing cell proliferation, inhibition of apoptosis, and suppressing the host’s immune response. Furthermore, COX-2 can induce the production of vascular endothelial growth factors, hence promoting angiogenesis. Indeed, the ability of COX-2 inhibitors to selectively restrict the proliferation of tumor cells and mediating apoptosis provides promising therapeutic targets for cancer patients. Thus, in this comprehensive review, we summarized the reported differential expression patterns of COX-2 in different stages of head and neck carcinogenesis—from potentially premalignant lesions to invasive carcinomas. Furthermore, we examined the available meta-analysis evidence for COX-2 role in the carcinogenesis of HNC. Finally, further understanding of the biological processes of COX-2 and its role in orchestrating cell proliferation, apoptosis and angiogenesis may give therapeutically beneficial insight to develop the management plan of HNC patients and improve their clinical outcomes.
Keywords
cyclooxygenase-2; head and neck cancers; head and neck squamous cell carcinoma; prostaglandins; inflammation; carcinogenesis; potentially premalignant lesions.
Subject
Medicine and Pharmacology, Immunology and Allergy
Copyright: This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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