The effect of nimesulide, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, on Ets-1 and Ets-2 expression in head and neck cancer cell lines.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The protooncogenes Ets-1 and Ets-2 are involved in carcinogenesis of different tumors. Nimesulide, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor, has antiproliferative effects on tumor cells. The question arises whether nimesulide influences Ets-1 and Ets-2 synthesis in head and neck tumors.

METHODS:

Expression of Ets-1 and Ets-2 was analyzed in tumor tissues by immunohistochemistry. The influence of nimesulide and an extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor on cell proliferation of two head and neck cancer cell lines and Ets-1 and Ets-2 expression was determined by automated cell counting and Western blotting, respectively.

RESULTS:

Immunohistochemistry showed a high expression of Ets-1 and Ets-2 in tumor tissues. In both cell lines, Ets-1 and Ets-2 expression were reduced after 24 and 48 hours by nimesulide.

CONCLUSION:

Both Ets-1 and Ets-2 are overexpressed in head and neck cancer specimens. Inhibition of Ets-1 and Ets-2 expression in head and neck cancer cell lines by nimesulide might explain the proapoptotic property of this COX-2 inhibitor.

• Authors: Wolfgang Lamm, Laurenz Vormittag, Dritan Turhani, Boban M Erovic, Cornelia Czembirek, Christina Eder-Czembirek, Dietmar Thurnher
• Journal: Head & neck (Head Neck) Vol. 27 Issue 12 Pg. 1068-72 (Dec 2005) ISSN: 1043-3074 [Print] United States
• PMID: 16240325 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: (c) 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Chemical References

• Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors
• ETS1 protein, human
• Flavonoids
• Proto-Oncogene Protein c-ets-1
• Proto-Oncogene Protein c-ets-2
• Sulfonamides
• Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases
• 2-(2-amino-3-methoxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one
• nimesulide

Topics

• Blotting, Western
• Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases (antagonists & inhibitors)
• Carcinoma, Squamous Cell (metabolism, pathology)
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Cell Proliferation (drug effects)
• Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors (pharmacology)
• Down-Regulation
• Flavonoids (pharmacology)
• Head and Neck Neoplasms (metabolism, pathology)
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Proto-Oncogene Protein c-ets-1 (drug effects, metabolism)
• Proto-Oncogene Protein c-ets-2 (drug effects, metabolism)
• Sulfonamides (pharmacology)