Cyclooxygenase-2 in oligodendroglioma: possible prognostic significance.
Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is the inducible form of the enzyme involved in the first two steps of the prostaglandins and thromboxane synthesis. Up-regulation of COX-2 is demonstrated in tumors where it can modulate tumoral progression, metastasis, multidrug resistance and angiogenesis. Selective COX-2 inhibitors are seen with growing interest in the tumors treatment. This present study reviews the COX-2 expression in 32 primary oligodendrogliomas (24 WHO II; eight WHO III) and two glioblastomas with prominent oligodendroglial features (WHO IV). Immunohistochemical results were compared with survival in order to verify the COX-2 prognostic significance. COX-2 positivity was found in 44% tumors. Median survival of the patients with a COX-2 positive lesion was 37 months; median survival of the patients with a COX-2 negative lesion was 93 months (P =0.010). Twenty-nine percent WHO grade II tumors, 87% WHO grade III, 50% WHO grade IV resulted COX-2 positive (P =0.016). In patients affected by WHO grade II oligodendroglioma, median survival was 24 and 96 months, respectively, in COX-2 positive and negative lesions (P =0.012). In conclusion, even if further studies on different, homogeneous and larger series in vivo are certainly necessary, it is believed that COX-2 could really have a prognostic value and can be considered as a possible therapeutic opportunity.
Department of Human Pathology and Oncology, Medical School, University of Florence, Florence, Italy. ambuccoliero@unifi.it
Anna Maria
AM
Buccoliero
Adele
A
Caldarella
Luisa
L
Arganini
Pasquale
P
Mennonna
Pasquale
P
Gallina
Antonio
A
Taddei
Gian Luigi
GL
Taddei
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000032:analysis* / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D008875:Middle Aged; D009837:Oligodendroglioma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000032:analysis* / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate
D007527:Isoenzymes; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases