The leukotriene receptor CysLT1 and 5-lipoxygenase are upregulated in colon cancer

Abstract

We have shown that LTD4 induces increased cell survival and adhesion mediated by COX-2. We identified a contemporary upregulation of 5-LO, COX-2 and CysLT1R in colon cancer compared to control colon cells in clinical samples as well as in cell lines. These results indicate that colon cancer cells not only have the ability to over express luekotrienes and prostaglandins due to unpregulated levels of 5-LO and COX-2 but also have potentially increased sensitivity towards LTD4 due to the higher levels of CysLT1R. Based on our present and earlier findings we believe that LTD4 can play a role in the development of colorectal carcinoma by affecting cell survival, proliferation, and cell adhesion, particularly in a LTD4 enriched environment as can be found in inflammatory bowel diseases (see figure 2).