PTGS2 and cardiovascular disorder: However, since general inhibitors of COXs, such as aspirin, can cause gastrointestinal bleeding problems and specific inhibitors of COX-2 increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, alternative treatments are needed targeting the downstream effector of COX-2 protumoral activity, likely minimizing side effects, and if possible aiming exclusively to cancer cells (Cathcart et al., 2011).