Recent Development in Imaging of COX

Authors:

DOI: 10.23880/macij-16000101

Volume 1, Issue 1

Abstract

Recent development in visualization of cyclooxygenase type2 (COX-2) expression using positron emission tomography (PET) has attracted a lot of attention. Cyclooxygenase catalyzes the conversion of arachidonic acid to form prostaglandins through functionally cooperative COX and peroxides (POX) enzymes. Comparing with the house keeping role played by homeostatic COX-1, COX-2 expression has been associated with the tumor progression and inflammation. COX-2 selective inhibitors such as the class of Coxibs exemplifying as celecoxib and valecoxib have been labeled with positron emitters such as fluorine-18 and C-11 for visualization through PET. The unique quantitative imaging modality enables a rapid and direct assessment of enzyme expression and receptor binding determination in both in vitro and in vivo models. Although most of the COX inhibitors exert COX-2 inhibition potencies in nano molarities in vitro, visualization of their sufficient accumulation in COX-2 related tumor models were not successful excepting inflammation associated animal models and xenograft tumor models.

Keywords: Development; Cyclooxygenase; PET

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