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In vitro and In vivo Effects and Mechanisms of Celecoxib-Induced Growth Inhibition of Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

Authors' Affiliations: ¹ Division of Gastroenterology and Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Irvine Medical Center, Orange, California and ² Division of Gastroenterology, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, California

Requests for reprints: Ke-Qin Hu, Division of Gastroenterology, University of California, Irvine Medical Center, 101 The City Drive, Building 53, Suite 113, Orange, CA 92868. Phone: 714-456-6745; E-mail: wcui{at}uci.edu.

Purpose: Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors cause growth inhibition of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells but it remains unclear whether this is both COX-2 dependent and independent. The related mechanisms remain to be determined. The present study was aimed to determine the effect of celecoxib on growth of hepatocellular carcinoma cells and xenografts and the related mechanisms.

Experimental Design: Both low COX-2 expressing PLC/PRF/5 and high COX-2 expressing HuH7 cells, and nude mice bearing hepatocellular carcinoma xenografts were used to study the effect and mechanisms of celecoxib on hepatocellular carcinoma cell growth.

Results: Celecoxib resulted in a comparable growth inhibition of both hepatocellular carcinoma cells that was associated with decreased production of prostaglandin E₂ and increased peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor in both cells. Addition of prostaglandin E₂ only partially counteracted the effect of celecoxib on both cells. Celecoxib resulted in a significant reduction of retinoblastoma phosphorylation and DP1/E2F1 complex in both cells. Celecoxib caused a significant increase of apoptosis and activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9 in both cells. In nude mice inoculated with HuH7 cells, celecoxib resulted in decreased frequency and mean weight of hepatocellular carcinoma xenografts.

Conclusion: The present study showed that celecoxib causes COX-2-dependent and COX-2-independent growth inhibition of hepatocellular carcinoma cells and xenografts by (a) decreased retinoblastoma phosphorylation and DP1/E2F1 complex; (b) increased activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9; and (c) increased expression of proliferator-activated receptor . The present study significantly extended our knowledge on the effect and mechanisms of celecoxib-induced inhibition of hepatocellular carcinoma cell growth.

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