COX-2 (Cyclooxygenase-2) is an inducible enzyme. It is involved in the response of cells to growth factors, tumor promoters, and cytokines that induce its expression. Given its role in synthesizing prostaglandins, COX-2 is therefore of interest in studying immune response regulation. COX-2 is induced by a wide variety of stimuli and was initially identified as immediate-early growth response gene. In addition, COX-2 expression markedly increased in 85-90% of human colorectal adenocarcinoma whereas COX-1 levels remain unchanged.
