Cyclooxygenase-2 and chemoprevention of breast cancer

This article discusses the role of cycclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in the aetiology and progression of breast cancer. Renewed interest in chemoprevention using non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) has come from observations that regular NSAID use is associated with a reduced incidence of some cancers including that of the breast. There is an increasing body of evidence supporting a role for COX-2 in breast cancer development and progression via effects on angiogenesis and apoptosis as well as via effects on intratumoural aromatase. New selective inhibitors of COX-2 are currently licensed for use in the treatment of arthritis and more recently in the chemoprevention of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Large clinical chemoprevention studies with COX-2 inhibitors are already underway in colorectal cancer. Their role in breast cancer prevention and treatment has yet to be fully characterised, but merits further investigation. (C) 2003 Published by Elsevier Ltd.