Tudor DV, Bâldea I, Lupu M, Kacso T, Kutasi E, Hopârtean A, Stretea R, Gabriela Filip A. COX-2 as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target in melanoma.
Cancer Biol Med 2020;
17:20-31. [PMID:
32296574 PMCID:
PMC7142851 DOI:
10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2019.0339]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
With a constantly increasing incidence, cutaneous melanoma has raised the need for a better understanding of its complex microenvironment that may further guide therapeutic options. Melanoma is a model tumor in immuno-oncology. Inflammation represents an important hallmark of cancer capable of inducing and sustaining tumor development. The inflammatory process also orchestrates the adaptative immunosuppression of tumor cells that helps them to evade immune destruction. Besides its role in proliferation, angiogenesis, and apoptosis, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is a well-known promoter of immune suppression in melanoma. COX-2 inhibitors are closely involved in this condition. This review attempts to answer two controversial questions: is COX-2 a valuable prognostic factor? Among all COX-2 inhibitors, is celecoxib a suitable adjuvant in melanoma therapy?
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