In this book, a worldwide panel of leading experts discuss the role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of major chronic diseases and the current controversy regarding risk versus benefit of selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors. The authors provide exciting and enlightening perspectives on COX-2 and related molecular targets in the future of medicine, including historical perspectives.

Cylooxygenase 2 (COX-2) Blockade in Cancer Prevention and Therapy documents the converging evidence that COX-2 blocking agents and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have chemopreventive and therapuetic effects against virtually all forms of cancer. The book's scope covers historical aspects of the discovery and development of COX-2 blocking agents. It also covers the epidemiologic evidence suggesting that COX-2 inhibitors protect against cancers of the colon, breast, and other anatomic sites; animal and molecular models demonstrating that these compounds block critical steps in carcinogenesis; and pharmacologic findings and clinical applications which are immediately relevant to cancer prevention, therapy, and control. The comprehensive nature of this book makes it an important reference test for applied cancer research and provides a general basis for extended research and development on the antineoplastic properties of COX-2 inhibitors. The text underscores the urgent need for human clinical trials of these compounds in order to expedite their efficacious application in cancer prevention and therapy. Each chapter is written by an expert in the field and documents the latest breaking science and original evidence on COX-2 inhibitors. The book presents a novel approach to cancer prevention and therapy involving compounds which are relatively safe for use by the human population. The cancer prevention and therapy involving compounds have already been approved by the FDA for the treatment of arthritic conditions, pain, and inflammation. These compounds clearly have the potential to reduce the burden of cancer in the human population. The book intends to be a comprehensive reference text for applied cancer research on COX-2 inhibitors and NSAIDs, and provides a general basis for extended research and development of the antineoplastic properties of these compounds and their application in human cancer prevention a

In "Inflammation in the Pathogenesis of Chronic Diseases: The COX-2 Controversy," a worldwide panel of leading experts discusses the role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of major chronic diseases and the current controversy regarding risk versus benefit of selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors. This volume is intended for scientists in medicine, epidemiology, pharmacology, molecular biology, and related fields. The authors provide exciting and enlightening perspectives on COX-2 and related molecular targets in the future of medicine, including historical perspectives on the discovery and development of aspirin, ibuprofen, and compounds that selectively inhibit COX-2, and the potential for development of new compounds with better efficacy and safety in the 21st century. Specfic chapters illuminate the role of inflammatory mechanisms in the pathogenesis of arthritis, cardiovascular disease, cancer, neurodegenerative disease, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and other life-threatening and debilitating conditions. Experts in cardiovascular medicine explore the "COX-2 controversy" regarding adverse effects of some (not all) selective COX-2 inhibitors on the cardiovasculature. Recent findings suggest that cardiovascular risk associated with some COX-2 inhibitors may not be due to a class effect, but rather depends upon the molecular structure of specific compounds. Important findings are documented in cancer research showing that selective COX-2 inhibitors have powerful antineoplastic effects against major forms of cancer. A special section explores the current evidence supporting the role of COX-2 and inflammation in the development of Alzheimer s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions and the potential benefit of compounds that modulate COX-2 and other inflammatory cytokines. The final section addresses nutritional modulation of inflammation and the chemopreventive value of anti-inflammatory nutraceutical agents. "

The revelation that aspirin and aspirin-like compounds have notableantineo plastic properties has revolutionized cancer research. COX-2 Blockade in Cancer Prevention and Therapy chronicles the evidence and presents exciting new op portunities for the use of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) blockade in the prevention and treatment of cancer. The text is divided broadly into five areas. First, an historical overview documents the scientific discovery ofCOX-2 and the pharma ceutical development of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) designed for selective COX-2 inhibition. The process by which essential poly unsaturated fatty acids (PUF As) stimulate prostaglandin biosynthesis and cancer development, and its interruption by COX-2 inhibition, is elucidated. This is followed by a section on the epidemiology of NSAIDs and cancers of the colon and breast, and other anatomic sites. These chapters reflect significant cancer protection owing to the regular use of common NSAIDs such as aspirin and ibuprofen. A section on animal models of carcinogenesis presents comprehensive evidence that general NSAIDs inhibit a variety of malignant neoplasms in vivo, and highlights recent findings which show that COX-2 blocking agents produce striking chemopreventive effects against colon cancer and breast cancer as well as other malignancies. Genetic models are presented confirming the critical role of COX-2 in carcinogenesis. Section IV then discusses the molecular biology of COX -2 vis-a-vis the role of COX -2 and, to a lesser extent, COX -1, in modulating a number of important processes in molecular carcinogenesis such as mutagen esis, cell division, angiogenesis, cell differentiation, and apoptosis."