Background: Cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) has been found to be overexpressed in several types of human cancers and its role in tumorigenesis has been proposed. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the cyclooxygenase inhibitor diclofenac on the growth of murine C-26 colon carcinoma cells.
Materials and methods: Expression of Cox-2 mRNA and protein was examined by RT-PCR analysis and immunohistochemistry, respectively. By using MTT-assay, we examined the effects of diclofenac at various concentrations on the growth of C-26 cells in vitro. The effect of diclofenac on the growth of the C-26 tumor in syngeneic mice was also investigated.
Results: By RT-PCR, Cox-2 mRNA was detected in C-26 cells. Cox-2 protein was localized to C-26 cells and treatment with diclofenac resulted in apoptotic cell death in a dose-dependent manner. Diclofenac administered in drinking water resulted in growth inhibition of C-26 tumor in mice and correlated with plasma levels of both PGE2 and TXB2.
Conclusion: Our data show that diclofenac may be a potential agent for the prevention and treatment of human colon cancer.