Synergistic effects of Cox-1 and-2 inhibition on bladder and prostate cancer in vitro

Background: We hypothesized that combined treatment with cyclooxygenase (Cox)-1 (catechin) and Cox-2 (NS398)-specific inhibitors would reduce cellular proliferation synergistically in genitourinary cancer. Methods: Bladder (T24 and TCCSUP) and prostate (DU145, LnCaP, and PC3) cancer cell lines were treated with catechin and NS398 at a close of 100 mumol/L as single and combined treatments. Viability was measured by MTT assay at 24 and 72 hours. Results: Significant synergism of Cox-1 and Cox-2 inhibitors was observed in both bladder cancer lines at both 24 and 72 hours. Synergism of Cox-1 and -2 inhibitors also was noted in the DU145 cells at 72 hours. LnCap cells at 24 hours, and PC3 at both 24 and 72 hours. Conclusions: significant synergistic effects exhibited by the combination of Cox-1 and Cox-2 inhibitors suggest that these could become a highly effective treatment modality for carcinoma of both the bladder and prostate. (C) 2004 Excerpta Medica, Inc. All rights reserved.