A celecoxib derivative potently inhibits proliferation of colon adenocarcinoma cells by induction of apoptosis.

BACKGROUND Celecoxib, a selective cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitor, has a pro-apoptotic effect on colon adenocarcinoma cells via COX-independent mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS The pro-apoptotic effect of N-(2-Aminoethyl)-4-[5- (4-tolyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonamide (TT101), a new derivative of celecoxib, was investigated on the HT-29 and SW480 colon adenocarcinoma cells. Cell proliferation and viability were assessed by incorporation of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine and by the 2-(4-Iodophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-(2,4-disulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium monosodium salt assay, respectively. Apoptosis was detected by identifying DNA fragmentation. Production of prostaglandin E2 by the HT-29 cells was analyzed. RESULTS TT101 inhibited the proliferation of HT-29 and SW480 cells by inducing apoptosis more potently than celecoxib in a concentration-dependent manner. The COX-2 inhibitory effect of TT101 was weaker than that of celecoxib. CONCLUSION A slight modification of celecoxib enhanced the pro-apoptotic effect on colon adenocarcinoma cells.