Differential expression pattern of cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The enzyme cyclooxygenase catalyzes the first step of the synthesis of prostanoids Cyclooxygenase has been shown to exist in two distinct isoforms: cyclooxygenase-1 is constitutively expressed as a housekeeping enzyme in most tissues whereas the inducible cyclooxygenase-2 has been reported to be involved in inflammatory processes and in the carcinogenesis of squamous cell carcinoma. The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution patterns of cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 in peritumoral lymphocytic infiltrates and tumor cells of head and neck carcinoma.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

Immunohistochemical analysis was performed using paraffin-embedded tumor specimens from 24 patients suffering from oropharyngeal, hypopharyngeal and oral squamous cell carcinomas.

RESULTS:

We observed that cyclooxygenase-2 immunoreactivity, compared to that of cyclooxygenase-1, was significantly increased in peritumoral lymphocytic infiltrates as well as in tumor cells.

CONCLUSION:

The expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in both tumor specimens and the surrounding peritumoral lymphocytic infiltrates supports the hypothesis that cyclooxygenase may be one of several important links between chronic inflammation and carcinogenesis.

• Authors: Boban M Erovic, Martina Pelzmann, Dritan Turhani, Johannes Pammer, Verena Niederberger, Csilla Neuchrist, Matthäus Ch Grasl, Dietmar Thurnher
• Journal: Acta oto-laryngologica (Acta Otolaryngol) Vol. 123 Issue 8 Pg. 950-3 (Oct 2003) ISSN: 0001-6489 [Print] England
• PMID: 14626203 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Isoenzymes
• Membrane Proteins
• Cyclooxygenase 1
• Cyclooxygenase 2
• PTGS1 protein, human
• PTGS2 protein, human
• Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases

Topics

• Carcinoma, Squamous Cell (enzymology, pathology)
• Cyclooxygenase 1
• Cyclooxygenase 2
• Female
• Humans
• Isoenzymes (metabolism)
• Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating (enzymology)
• Male
• Membrane Proteins
• Mouth Neoplasms (enzymology, pathology)
• Pharyngeal Neoplasms (enzymology, pathology)
• Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases (metabolism)