Induction of apoptosis by JTE-522, a specific cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, in human gastric cancer cell lines.

An increased expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 has been observed in various cancers including gastric cancer. Although specific COX-2 inhibitors have a chemopreventive effect on colon cancer, their molecular mechanisms remain unclear. To clarify these mechanisms, we investigated the effects of JTE-522, a newly developed COX-2-specific inhibitor, on gastric cancer cell lines (MKN28 and MKN45). The baseline levels of COX-2 expression were higher in MKN45 than in MKN28. JTE-522 obviously suppressed the levels of COX-2 mRNA, COX-2 protein and PGE2 at a dose of 250 microM in both cancer cells. Apoptosis was induced at 24 hours after treatment with JTE-522 (250 microM) in both cancer cells. To determine the mechanisms of apoptosis induction by JTE-522, the time course of the cell cycle and the apoptosis-related protein levels were examined. An increase in the G1 phase and a decrease in the S phase were observed prior to apoptosis. Moreover, an increase of c-myc protein and a decrease of bcl-2 protein were observed in both cells treated with JTE-522. These findings suggested that JTE-522 could induce apoptosis by blocking the cell cycle, enhancing c-myc expression and diminishing bcl-2 expression. JTE-522 also suppressed proliferation activity in both cell lines. These effects of JTE-522 were more dramatic in MKN45 than in MKN28. Since JTE-522 strongly suppresses cell growth by inducing apoptosis in gastric cancer cell lines, it may therefore serve as a chemopreventive agent.