Cyclooxygenase-2: a therapeutic target in angiogenesis

Angiogenesis has a role in the pathogenesis of several disorders, including cancer, chronic inflammatory diseases and retinopathies. Recent evidence demonstrates that the production of prostanoids by cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) promotes the expression of pro-angiogenic factors. Furthermore, inhibition of COX-2 by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs leads to restricted angiogenesis and downregulated production of pro-angiogenic factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor. These findings suggest that COX enzymes could be important therapeutic targets in the treatment of pathological angiogenesis.