THE CONTRIBUTION OF COXIBS THERAPY IN SMALL ANIMALS ONCOLOGY

Abstract

The Cox-2 inhibitors are a new generation of drugs and it has been used in association with radio and chemotherapy for cancer treatment. The anticancer mechanisms of these drugs are not totally known; therefore specific studies are necessary to determine if the inhibition helps in prevention and treatment of neoplasias. The Cox-2 overexpression has been demonstrated in many neoplasias in Veterinary Medicine like in transicional cell carcinoma of the lower urinary tract and squamous carcinoma of the skin. The aim of this review is to discuss the cyclooxygenase function in some neoplasias in dogs and cats, to demonstrate the benefit of non-steroidal anti-inflamatory drugs, mainly coxibs, in the small animal oncology, besides the necessity of more advanced studies in this area.