Cytotoxic Activity of the Cyclooxygenase Inhibitor Aspirin against Cholangiocarcinoma Cell Lines

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Wanna Chaijaroenkul
Kesara Na-Bangchang

Abstract

Cyclooxygenase (COX) is the key enzyme responsible for prostanoids production, which plays an important role in inflammatory process and pathogenesis of several diseases including cancer. In this study, non-selective COX-2 inhibitor aspirin was investigated for its cytotoxic activity against cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) in vitro. The cytotoxicity against CCA cell line (CL-6) was performed using MTT assay. Median (range) IC50 values of aspirin and 5-FU were 748.0 (522.2-1,005.5) and 366.8 (306.8-410.9) mM, respectively. Results showed that nonspecific COX inhibitor exhibited potent activities against CCA. This implies that not only COX-2, but also COX-1 may also involve in carcinogenesis of CCA. The expression of COX-1 gene was unchanged but that of COX-2 was partially inhibited by 5-FU and aspirin. COX inhibitors particularly aspirin could potentially have a role in CCA chemotherapy, either as adjuvant or used in combination with conventional cytotoxic agents.

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Research Articles