COX-2 (PTGS2)
COX-2 makes the inflammatory prostaglandins that help tumours grow; aspirin and celecoxib block it, which is why they reduce colorectal polyps and are studied for cancer prevention.
Overview
Prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (COX-2) is induced by inflammation and is overexpressed in colorectal adenomas and many carcinomas, where prostaglandin E2 drives proliferation, angiogenesis and immune suppression. Celecoxib was approved to reduce polyps in familial adenomatous polyposis (later withdrawn from that indication) and low-dose aspirin lowers colorectal cancer risk in long-term trials; COX-2 inhibition remains a live prevention and adjuvant question.
- Target · the protein and the cell it sits on
- Drug · antibody, small molecule, cell or radioligand
- Effect · signal, damage or kill
In plain words · COX-2 makes the inflammatory prostaglandins that help tumours grow; aspirin and celecoxib block it, which is why they reduce colorectal polyps and are studied for cancer prevention.
- 1 · What it is
COX-2 makes the inflammatory prostaglandins that help tumours grow; aspirin and celecoxib block it, which is why they reduce colorectal polyps and are studied for cancer prevention.
- 2 · What goes wrong in cancer
An inducible cyclooxygenase converting arachidonic acid to prostaglandin H2; PGE2 acts through EP receptors on tumour and immune cells.
- 3 · How drugs use it
No product in this corpus aims at COX-2 (PTGS2) yet. Inhibitors are shaped to fit the enzyme's active site so the reaction the cancer relies on stops.
External identifiers
Biology
An inducible cyclooxygenase converting arachidonic acid to prostaglandin H2; PGE2 acts through EP receptors on tumour and immune cells.
- Colorectal adenomas and carcinomas (overexpressed)
- Inflamed tissue, many solid tumours
Latest papers
topQuery for this target: (TITLE:"COX-2" OR ABSTRACT:"COX-2" OR TITLE:"PTGS2" OR ABSTRACT:"PTGS2") AND (cancer OR tumor OR tumour OR oncology OR carcinoma OR lymphoma OR leukemia OR leukaemia OR myeloma OR sarcoma OR melanoma OR glioma). Results are unfiltered search hits about COX-2 (PTGS2), not a curated reading list.
Similar pages
not linked directly; found by shared links- TermHallmarks of Cancer
Shares Enabling characteristic: tumour-promoting inflammation, Hallmark: inducing or accessing vasculature.
- PathwayMicrobiome-tumour interactions
Shares Enabling characteristic: tumour-promoting inflammation, Colorectal cancer.
- PathwayThe angiogenic switch & tumour vessels
Shares Hallmark: inducing or accessing vasculature, Colorectal cancer.
- PathwayVEGF angiogenesis
Shares Hallmark: inducing or accessing vasculature, Colorectal cancer.