Suppression of pancreatic cancer cell invasion by a cyclooxygenase-2-specific inhibitor.

Pancreatic cancer is characterized by invasive and metastatic potential. In this study, effects of the COX-2 inhibitor JTE-522 on cell viability, invasion, and invasion-related cellular properties were determined. JTE-522 (10 microM) induced a 75-90% reduction in invasion, compared to cells treated with a vehicle only, in the COX-2-expressing cells. In contrast, this inhibitor caused no significant reduction in cells lacking COX-2. Determinants of cell invasion, such as cell motility, adhesion to the extracellular matrix, and gelatinolytic activity of metalloproteinase, were also modulated in COX-2-positive pancreatic cancer cells. Thus, COX-2-specific inhibitors may be a useful anti-invasive therapeutic option in pancreatic cancer.