Cyclooxygenase-2 and colorectal cancer chemoprevention: the beta-catenin connection.

Colorectal cancer poses a major clinical challenge in the developed world where this disease is common. Recent findings suggest that the prostaglandin E(2), the proinflammatory product of elevated cyclooxygenase-2 activity in colon cancer, stimulates cancer cell growth through a G protein-dependent signaling pathway coupling the prostaglandin EP2 receptor to beta-catenin control. These findings provide new insights into the molecular framework needed to evaluate chemopreventive strategies for colorectal cancer.