Enhancing antitumor effects in pancreatic cancer cells by combined use of COX-2 and 5-LOX inhibitors

Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and lipoxygenase (LOX)-5 are involved in carcinogenesis of pancreatic cancer. COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib displays inhibitory effects in pancreatic cancer cell growth. Recently, it has been reported that COX-2 inhibitor may not be able to suppress pancreatic tumor growth in vivo and its application is further limited by untoward side effects. The present study provides evidence that combined use of celecoxib and 5-LOX inhibitor MK886 markedly suppresses pancreatic tumor cell growth in vitro. Compared to the single inhibitor treatment, dual treatment with celecoxib and MK886 exerted additive antitumor effects in pancreatic tumor cells. We found that MK886 reversed celecoxib-induced increases in 5-LOX gene expression and Erk1/2 activation in pancreatic tumor cells. Moreover, Dual treatment of pancreatic tumor cells with celecoxib and MK886 inhibited the levels of LBT4 receptor BLT1 and vascular endothelial growth factor. Our results imply that combined use of celecoxib and MK886 might be an effective way to treat clinical patients with pancreatic cancer.