Stromal COX-2 signaling are correlated with colorectal cancer: A review

• COX-2 signaling plays a major role in development and progression of colorectal cancer.
• Stromal fibroblasts are a major source of COX-2 and PGE2.
• Stromal-epithelial interaction mediated by COX-2 signaling promotes colorectal carcinogenesis.
• Inhibition of stromal COX-2 signaling is necessary to control colorectal cancer.

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and its product prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) play a critical role in development and progression of colorectal cancer. Yet the detailed mechanistic pathways of COX-2 mediated signaling are still controversial and the role of COX-2 interaction in epithelial-stromal compartments on colorectal carcinogenesis is not well-understood either. In this review, we provide experimental evidence to support that (1) COX-2 signaling plays a major role in development and progression of colorectal cancer; (2) Stromal fibroblasts are a major source of COX-2 and PGE2; (3) Stromal-epithelial interaction mediated by COX-2 signaling promotes colorectal carcinogenesis and (4) Inhibition of stromal COX-2 signaling is necessary to control colorectal cancer. In conclusion, the evidences summarized in the review reflect recent advances and insight in mechanistic studies of colorectal cancer which can help the audiences to further understand the etiology and the control of this disease.