Cox-2 expression in retinoblastoma.
OBJECTIVE
Cox-2, a prostaglandin synthase, is overexpressed in colorectal cancers and is involved in angiogenesis as well as in tumorigenesis. In this study, we investigate the expression of Cox-2 in retinoblastoma.


METHODS
Twenty-nine formalin-fixed retinoblastoma specimens were examined by the labeled-streptavidin-biotin method using anti-Cox-2 antibody.


RESULTS
Cox-2 positive immunoreactions were observed in 28 (96%) of 29 retinoblastomas specimens.


CONCLUSIONS
This preliminary study suggests the overexpression of Cox-2 in both differentiated and undifferentiated retinoblastoma and its possible role in tumorigenesis.
Karim
M M
MM
Department of Ophthalmology, Kobe University School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan. zakir@fsbd.net
Hayashi
Y
Y
Inoue
M
M
Imai
Y
Y
Ito
H
H
Yamamoto
M
M
D002675:Child, Preschool; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007223:Infant; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D010544:Peroxidases / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D019572:Retinal Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D012175:Retinoblastoma / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology
D007527:Isoenzymes; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D010544:Peroxidases; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases