Colorectal Cancer Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Colorectal Cancer, including details on symptoms, genetics, screening, treatment, information.

Anti-EGFR and ErbB-2 antibodies attenuate cyclooxygenase-2 expression and cooperatively inhibit survival of human colon cancer cells.

Half E, Sun Y, Sinicrope FA

Department of Gastrointestinal Medicine & Nutrition, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is a transcriptional target and downstream effector of the ErbB-1 (EGFR) and ErbB-2 signaling pathways. We found that anti-EGFR and anti-ErbB-2 antibodies inhibited ERK phosphorylation and downregulated COX-2 protein expression in HCA-7 human colon carcinoma cells. Both antibodies also augmented the cytotoxic effects of the selective COX-2 inhibitor, NS-398. Inhibition of EGFR and ErbB-2 attenuated cell growth by increasing cell death, and the antibody combination suppressed cell growth to a greater extent than did either antibody alone. In conclusion, EGFR and ErbB-2 regulate ERK-mediated COX-2 expression and their selective inhibition enhanced NS-398-induced cell death. Cooperative inhibition of cell growth by EGFR and ErbB-2 blockade suggests the therapeutic potential of targeting multiple ErbB receptors.

Published 7 May 2007 in Cancer Lett, 251(2): 237-46.
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