Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors are common anti-inflammatory
drugs with pleiotropic, endogenous actions that could be useful in the
management of breast cancer. Here, we provide a complete understanding
of the biochemistry of COX-2 and discuss the various molecular
mechanisms behind its increased expression in breast cancer. We also
analyze the possible mechanisms responsible for the anticancer effect of
COX-2 inhibitors and provide an overview of the available preclinical and
clinical data on the use of COX-2 inhibitors in breast cancer. Finally, we
describe a mathematical model of the relation between the structure and
biological potency of promising new COX-2 inhibitors (trans-stilbenes)
using a 2D quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) technique.