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Prostaglandin EP receptors: Targets for treatment and prevention of colorectal cancer?

Molecular Medicine Unit, University of Leeds, St. James's University Hospital, Leeds, United Kingdom

Request for reprints: Mark A. Hull, Molecular Medicine Unit, University of Leeds, Clinical Sciences Building, St. James's University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, United Kingdom. Phone: 44-113-206-5251; Fax: 44-113-242-9722. E-mail: M.A.Hull{at}leeds.ac.uk

The importance of the prostaglandin (PG) synthesis pathway, particularly the rate-limiting enzymatic step catalyzed by cyclooxygenase, to colorectal carcinogenesis and development of novel anticolorectal cancer therapy is well established. The predominant PG species in benign and malignant colorectal tumors is PGE₂. PGE₂ acts via four EP receptors termed EP1 to EP4. Recently, EP receptors have been identified as potential targets for treatment and/or prevention of colorectal cancer. This review summarizes existing knowledge of the expression and function of the EP receptor subtypes in human and rodent intestine during tumorigenic progression and describes the current literature on targeting EP receptor signaling during intestinal tumorigenesis.

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Received 3/ 3/04; revised 5/12/04; accepted 5/26/04.