Reference SummaryJacoby RF, Cancer Res 2000 Apr 1;60(7):1864-70

Title

Chemopreventive efficacy of combined piroxicam and difluoromethylornithine treatment of Apc mutant Min mouse adenomas, and selective toxicity against Apc mutant embryos

Authors

Jacoby RF; Cole CE; Tutsch K; Newton MA; Kelloff G; Hawk ET; Lubet RA

Journal

Cancer Res

Volume

60

Issue

7

Year

2000

Pages

1864-70

Abstract

Genetic knockout or pharmacological inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 decreases the number and size of adenomas in mouse models of familial adenomatous polyposis. Epidemiological and clinical studies in humans indicate that the entire class of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that inhibit both COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes are promising colon cancer chemopreventive agents. We used the Apc mutant Min mouse model to test combinations of agents that might maximize preventive benefit with minimal toxicity because they act via different mechanisms. Min mice (n = 144) were exposed to low doses of the nonselective COX inhibitor piroxicam and the ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) inhibitor difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), beginning at the time they were weaned and continuing throughout the duration of the experiment. Piroxicam at 12, 25, and 50 ppm in the diet caused dose-dependent decreases in the number of tumors in the middle and distal portions of the small intestine. This decrease in tumor multiplicity was associated with a striking decrease in the size of those tumors that did grow out. In contrast, none of the doses of piroxicam alone decreased tumor multiplicity in the proximal portion of the intestine (duodenum). Exposure to DFMO (0.5 or 1.0% in water) caused a dose-dependent decrease in tumor multiplicity in the middle and distal portions of the small intestine. However, this decreased multiplicity was not associated with a striking decrease in the size of the tumors. Combined treatment of mice with piroxicam plus DFMO was much more effective than either agent alone and resulted in a significant number of mice totally free of any intestinal adenomas (P < 0.001), in contrast to the 100% incidence and high multiplicity in control Min mice. In addition to this profound effectiveness in reducing tumor number, the few residual tumors in mice treated with the combined drugs were markedly smaller in size than tumors that arose from control Min mice. These experiments suggest that selective COX-2 inhibition combined with ODC inhibition is a very promising approach for colon cancer prevention. These COX-2 and ODC inhibitor drugs were not overtly toxic at the doses used when administered to mice after weaning. However, when treatment was begun in utero, the Mendelian expected progeny ratio of 1:1 that we routinely obtained in untreated control litters was no longer observed. Apc(min)/+ progeny of pregnant dams treated with piroxicam and/or DFMO were reduced in number and their ratio to Apc+/+ progeny was decreased to approximately 0.28:1. Thus, these agents are effective against adenomas that have homozygous mutation of the APC gene and also select against fetuses bearing a heterozygous mutation in the APC gene.

Links

J:61461 – MGI References
10766173 – National Library of Medicine/PubMed

Strain Notes

Strain Note
C57BL/6J-ApcMin/+ In utero exposure to piroxicam or DFMO reduced the ratio of ApcMin/+ to wild type mice being born to 0.26 and 0.28 , respectively. A normal Mendalian ratio of 0.49 was seen in control litters delivered at the same time.
Mice were generated by mating male ApcMin/+ mice to C57BL/6J females.

Models

Strain Model Name Treatment Agent(s) Organ Affected Frequency Model Details
C57BL/6J-ApcMin/+ Intestine - Small Intestine - Distal tumor Intestine - Small Intestine - Distal

observed

C57BL/6J-ApcMin/+ Intestine - Small Intestine - Distal tumor
  • piroxicam
Intestine - Small Intestine - Distal

observed

C57BL/6J-ApcMin/+ Intestine - Small Intestine - Distal tumor
  • piroxicam
  • difluoromethylornithine (DFMO)
Intestine - Small Intestine - Distal

observed

C57BL/6J-ApcMin/+ Intestine - Small Intestine - Distal tumor
  • difluoromethylornithine (DFMO)
Intestine - Small Intestine - Distal

observed

C57BL/6J-ApcMin/+ Intestine - Small Intestine - Medial tumor Intestine - Small Intestine - Medial

observed

C57BL/6J-ApcMin/+ Intestine - Small Intestine - Medial tumor
  • piroxicam
Intestine - Small Intestine - Medial

observed

C57BL/6J-ApcMin/+ Intestine - Small Intestine - Medial tumor
  • piroxicam
  • difluoromethylornithine (DFMO)
Intestine - Small Intestine - Medial

observed

C57BL/6J-ApcMin/+ Intestine - Small Intestine - Medial tumor
  • difluoromethylornithine (DFMO)
Intestine - Small Intestine - Medial

observed

C57BL/6J-ApcMin/+ Intestine - Small Intestine - Proximal tumor Intestine - Small Intestine - Proximal

observed

C57BL/6J-ApcMin/+ Intestine - Small Intestine - Proximal tumor
  • piroxicam
Intestine - Small Intestine - Proximal

observed

C57BL/6J-ApcMin/+ Intestine - Small Intestine - Proximal tumor
  • piroxicam
  • difluoromethylornithine (DFMO)
Intestine - Small Intestine - Proximal

observed

C57BL/6J-ApcMin/+ Intestine - Small Intestine - Proximal tumor
  • difluoromethylornithine (DFMO)
Intestine - Small Intestine - Proximal

observed