[Expression of cyclooxygenase in bladder transitional cell carcinoma].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the role of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in the development of bladder transitional cell carcinoma.


METHODS
Thirty-four specimens were obtained from patients with bladder transitional carcinoma, and 7 specimens of normal bladder tissues were obtained from renal transplantation donors. Immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR were performed to study the expression of COX-1 and COX-2.


RESULTS
No marked expression of COX-2 was observed in the normal bladder, but higher level of COX-2 expression was noted in the malignant cells. The extent and intensity of COX-2 expression in cancer cells were statistically greater than those in the cells from normal bladder tissue. Correlation between COX-2 expression and progression of bladder transitional cell carcinoma was observed. COX-2 expression was significantly higher in Grade 3 bladder transitional cell carcinoma than in Grades 1 and 2 (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in COX-2 expression level between the bladder transitional cell carcinomas at different clinical stages (P > 0.05). The expression of COX-1 was seen in some bladder transitional cell carcinoma and normal bladder.


CONCLUSIONS
COX-2 might be of significance to the proliferation and development of bladder transitional cell carcinoma.
Department of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
Kun-jie
KJ
Wang
Hong
H
Li
Qiang
Q
Wei
Yu-ru
YR
Yang
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000378:metabolism*; D002455:Cell Division; D051545:Cyclooxygenase 1; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*
D007527:Isoenzymes; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051545:Cyclooxygenase 1; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496511:PTGS1 protein, human; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases