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 dose of 100 μmol/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.