Meloxicam inhibits the growth of non-small cell lung cancer

Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 has been reported to play an important role in carci nogenesis. Meloxicam (preferential COX-2 inhibitor) inhibits the growth of COX-2 positive and COX-I negative colorectal cancel cells. We evaluated the effects of meloxicam on the growth of lung cancer cells. By reverse transc riptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis, COX-2 but not COX-I was expressed in human non-small cell lung cancel (NSCLC) ce ll lines (A549 and PC14). In human small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cell line (H841), both COX-I and COX-2 were not detected. MTT assay and prostaglandin (PG) E-2 enzyme immunoassay showed that meloxicam inhibited the growth and PGE(2) production of both A549 and PC14, but not H841 cells. These finding s suggest that COX-2 may play an important role in the pathogenesis and pro gression of NSCLC, and that meloxicam may be a useful therapeutic agents in the treatment of NSCLC.