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Cyclooxygenases: Mediators of UV-induced Skin Cancer and Potential Targets for Prevention

Nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSCs), are among the most common human malignancies. Current methods for their prevention include avoidance of natural and artificial sources of UV radiation, photoprotective clothing and sunscreens. However, these methods have proven to be inadequate in stemming the rise...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Elmets, Craig A., Ledet, Johnathan, Athar, Mohammad
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: 2014
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4165774/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24804836
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/jid.2014.192
Descripción
Sumario:Nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSCs), are among the most common human malignancies. Current methods for their prevention include avoidance of natural and artificial sources of UV radiation, photoprotective clothing and sunscreens. However, these methods have proven to be inadequate in stemming the rise in skin cancer incidence over the past several years. There is accumulating evidence that cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), an enzyme involved in prostaglandin synthesis, may be involved in the pathogenesis of NMSC. In preclinical studies, animals genetically deficient in the COX-2 enzyme or that have been treated with pharmacological inhibitors of COX-2 develop significantly fewer tumors when subjected to a UV-induced skin carcinogenesis protocol than control mice. Several epidemiological studies in humans support the concept that this enzyme is intimately involved in UV-induced skin cancer development, and UV radiation is known to augment COX-2 expression in human skin. Recent studies suggest that drugs that block COX-2 expression may prevent the development of NMSCs. Thus, pharmacologic agents that inhibit the enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 may be effective chemopreventive agents for NMSCs.