leukotriene-a4 and Neoplasms

Metabolites of arachidonic acid have important regulatory functions within several areas of concern to the otolaryngologist. Prostaglandins, composing one group, are involved in smooth-muscle contraction, regulation of renal glomerular blood flow, and in the modulation of immune and allergic responses, inflammation, fever, pain, and tumor growth. A second group, the leukotrienes, may be even more important than prostaglandins in allergy and inflammation. The elusive slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis belongs in this group. Two other metabolites, thromboxane and prostacyclin, seem to be critical in hemostasis and the metastatic spread of tumors.

Topics: Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Arachidonic Acid; Arachidonic Acids; Aspirin; Blood Platelets; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; Epoprostenol; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Indomethacin; Inflammation; Leukotriene A4; Lipoxygenase; Neoplasms; Phospholipases; Platelet Aggregation; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases; Prostaglandins; Thromboxanes

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Animals; Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; Disease Models, Animal; Epoxide Hydrolases; Esophageal Neoplasms; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Humans; Inflammation; Leucine; Leukotriene A4; Neoplasms; Signal Transduction; Up-Regulation