A key target for NSAID-induced map (ERK-2) kinase – Inhibition of gastric cancer cell proliferation and growth

Clinical and limited experimental studies indicate that NSAIDs may inhibit gastric cancer growth. However, the mechanisms involved are not completely understood. Map(ERK-2)kinase signaling pathway is essential for cell proliferation, but the effect of NSAIDs on ERK-2 activity and phosphorylation in gastric cancer has never been studied. We studied whether NS-398 and/or indomethacin (IND): 1) inhibit gastric cancer cell proliferation, 2) whether this inhibition is mediated via ERK-2, and whether 3) NSAIDs enhance apoptosis in gastric cancer cells. Human gastric epithelial cells (MKN28) were treated with either ve…