A non-cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor analog of Celecoxib (C251000). The celecoxib analog, 2,5-di-Me celecoxib (DMC), lacks COX-2 inhibitory activity but exhibits cytotoxic properties comparable to the COX-2 inhibitor Celecoxib.
Celecoxib, and the inactive analog 2′,5′-dimethyl celecoxib both induce apoptosis in a many cancer cell lines by down-regulating the expression of survivin. This activiy is mediated via an AKT mediated pathway, and is unique to this class of cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors, as non-selective NSAIDs or other COX-2 specific inhibitors such as rofecoxib, do not effect survivin expression. Unlike celecoxib, 2′,5′-dimethyl celecoxib is devoid of any inhibitory activity against COX-2.
