Bile duct cancer, ERBB-2, and COX-2

Alphonse E. Sirica
From: Science & Medicine: Volume 8 Number 5: Page 268 (October 2002)

Abstract: Cholangiocarcinoma is an uncommon but devastating cancer of bile duct origin, which because of its poor prognosis and unclear molecular pathogenesis, is challenging to both clinicians and researchers. Increasing evidence suggests that aberrant ERBB-2 receptor tyrosine kinase signaling, together with upregulation of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), may play an important role in cholangiocarcinogenesis in both experimental rodent models and humans. Single or combinational drug targeting of ERBB-2 and COX-2 may provide a useful new adjuvant treatment for cholangiocarcinomas coordinately overexpressing ERBB-2 and COX-2, as well as serve as a possible preventative strategy for patients with high-risk conditions for this cancer.

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