title: Cyclooxygenase-2 expression is associated with increased size in human sporadic colorectal adenomas.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) has been implicated in colorectal carcinogenesis but its role is not completely defined.
  
  
  METHODS
  The expression of COX-2 was evaluated in 68 paraffin-embedded sporadic colorectal adenomas by immunohistochemistry. Associations between COX-2 expression and the clinicopathological characteristics of the adenomas were studied by contingency tables and the Chi-square test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cytoplasmic staining for COX-2 protein was present in epithelial cells of 62 out of the 68 adenomas. COX-2 expression was not associated with age or gender. Furthermore, no significant correlations were found between the expression of the protein and histology (tubular vs tubulovillous), localization (proximal vs distal) or morphology (sessil vs pedunculated) of the adenomas. Both stromal and epithelial COX-2 expressions were higher in larger (>4 mm) compared with smaller (< or =4 mm) adenomas (p =0. 037 and p=0. 024).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data support the hypothesis that the expression of COX-2 may occur as a general phenomenon in colorectal adenomas. A size-dependent increase of COX-2 expression might be involved in colorectal carcinogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology B, National Cancer Institute, via Mariano Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy. carmen_pisano@libero.it
authors.forename: Carmela
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pisano
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ottaiano
authors.forename: Fabiana
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tatangelo
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Di Bonito
authors.forename: Marzia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Falanga
authors.forename: Vincenzo Rosario
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Iaffaioli
authors.forename: Gerardo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Botti
authors.forename: Sandro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pignata
authors.forename: Angela Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Acquaviva
mesh_terms: D000236:Adenoma / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology*; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D008875:Middle Aged; D016612:Paraffin Embedding; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D008565:Membrane Proteins; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases