[COX-2-expression in extragenital endometriosis lesions as a novel therapeutical approach?].
OBJECTIVE
Extragenital endometriosis is a rare form of endometriosis. Due to its invasive and metastatic properties it resembles some features of malignant tumours. Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 is a rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of prostaglandins and is mainly expressed in inflammatory and malignant processes. In this study we investigated the COX-2 expression in extragenital endometriosis.


METHODS
Tissue was obtained of 13 women with rectal and vaginal endometriosis, scar endometriosis and endometriosis of the omentum majus. The COX-2 expression was investigated by immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
In the glandular epithelium a COX-2 overexpression was found in all cases and in the stroma a weak to moderate COX-2 expression was found in half of the cases. A hormonal therapy at the time of surgery had no influence on the COX-2 expression in extragenital endometriosis.


CONCLUSIONS
The high COX-2 expression in extragenital endometriosis is believed to be strongly correlated with the pathological abnormalities this of disease.
D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000235:genetics*; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000235:genetics*; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology / Q000601:surgery; D014623:Vaginal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology / Q000601:surgery
D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D007527:Isoenzymes; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases