Cyclooxygenase-2 expression is up-regulated in human pancreatic cancer

A large body of evidence suggests that cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is importan t in gastrointestinal cancer. The purpose of this study was to determine wh ether COX-2 was expressed in adenocarcinoma of the human pancreas. Quantita tive reverse transcription-PCR, immunoblotting, and immunohistochemistry we re used to assess the expression of COX-2 in pancreatic tissue. Levels of C OX-2 mRNA were increased by >60-fold in pancreatic cancer compared to adjac ent nontumorous tissue. COX-2 protein was present in 9 of 10 cases of adeno carcinoma of the pancreas but was undetectable in nontumorous pancreatic ti ssue. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that COX-2 was expressed in malig nant epithelial cells, In cultured human pancreatic cancer cells, levels of COX-2 mRNA and protein were induced by treatment with tumor-promoting phor bol esters. Taken together, these results suggest that COX-2 may be a targe t for the prevention or treatment of pancreatic cancer.