Celecoxib and a novel COX-2 inhibitor ON09310 upregulate death receptor 5 expression via GADD153/CHOP

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors are promising anticancer agents but their long-term use at high doses is associated with adverse cardiovascular events. The molecular mechanisms underlying the anticancer or toxic cardiovascular effects of COX-2 inhibitors remain unknown. Here we report that COX-2-selective celecoxib and a novel COX-2 inhibitor ON09310 upregulate death receptor 5 (DR5) and cooperate with tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), the ligand for DR5, to induce apoptosis in COX-2-positive and -negative cancer cells. We also show that both agents engage GADD153/CHOP to transcriptionally upregulate DR5 expression; GADD153/CHOP is a C/EBP homologous transcription factor implicated in cellular stress response and apoptosis. Based on our results, we propose that (1) these agents appear to mediate their effects, at least in part, by engaging GADD153/CHOP to activate DR5-dependent apoptotic pathway and (2) their regulation of GADD153/CHOP and DR5 expression appears to occur independent of their COX2 inhibitory effects. Our results also indicate that ON09310 is generally more potent than celecoxib and, at lower concentration, strongly cooperates with TRAIL to induce apoptosis. Taken together, our findings form the basis for future in-depth studies to further explore the utility of TRAIL and/or agonistic anti-DR5 antibodies in combination with low-dose COX-2 inhibitors as a rational approach for cancer prevention and treatment.