Cyclooxygenases and lipoxygenases in prostate and breast cancers

Abstract

Oxidative metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids through cyclooxygenases or lipoxygenases can generate various lipid peroxides and bioactive lipids, and regulate cellular proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation and senescence. The role of the second cyclooxygenase isoform (COX-2) has been demonstrated in a number of studies and is regarded as a promising target for chemoprevention and treatment. The involvement for lipoxygenases in tumor initiation and progression has been implicated in several studies but remains controversial. Among the many members of lipoxygenase family, both tumor promoting and suppressing activities have been described. For example, 15-lipoxygenase-1 has been implicated as a tumor promoter in prostate cancer, but it suppresses colon cancer. In this review, the role of cyclooxygenases and lipoxygenases in cancer will be described, with the hope of attracting further research to define their functions in cancer.