Microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 enhances bone cancer growth and bone cancer-related pain behaviors in mice.

Aims: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are a therapeutic modality for chronic cancer pain arising from bone metastases. Chronic administration of a cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitor is effective to bone cancer-related pain. However, adverse cardiovascular effects have limited COX-2 inhibitor therapy, and elucidation of better targets for blocking prostaglandin (PG) biosynthesis is necessary.