PTGS2 and cancer: COX2 is an early response gene that can be induced by oncogenes, tumor promoters, and carcinogens.[19] There is a correlation between chronic inflammation and the development of malignant tumors, contributing to the development of > 15% of carcinomas worldwide.[20,21] COX2 is a potential marker of the neoplastic transformation of normal cells into a tumor.[17,20,22,23] COX2-induced prostaglandin E2 production initiates a signaling cascade leading to the intensification of various metabolic processes and apoptosis inhibition or prevention.