Cyclooxygenase-2 increased the angiogenic and metastatic potential of tumor cells.

It seems certain that COX-2 is related to tumor and some data suggested that COX-2 might have relation to tumor malignance and angiogenesis. In order to elucidate the relationship between COX-2 and tumor invasive and angiogenic ability, we transfected human transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) cell line, EJ, permanently with a COX-2 expression vector or the mock vector. The EJ-COX(2) cells, which overexpressed COX-2, acquired increased invasiveness and angiogenic ability by activation of VEGF, uPA, and MMP-2. Increased invasiveness and angiogenic ability were reversed by treatment with either selective COX-2 inhibitor, NS-398, or dual COX inhibitor, indomethacin. These results demonstrate that overexpression of COX-2 can lead to phenotypic changes that alter the metastatic and angiogenic potential of TCC cancer cells.