title: Cyclooxygenase-2 expression in Warthin's tumour.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is overexpressed in Warthin's tumours, and to characterize its pattern of expression.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-one paraffin-embedded Warthin's tumour specimens were analysed by immunohistochemical staining for expression of human COX-2. Semi-quantitative analysis of the staining was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all of the specimens, we found that there was overexpression of COX-2 within the epithelial component of the tumours, with no expression in the lymphoid components. There was also overexpression of COX-2 in the salivary duct system of normal parotid tissue.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that COX-2 is up-regulated in the epithelial component of Warthin's tumours. Our findings support the hypothesis that Warthin's tumours originate from heterotopic ductal epithelial cells of the parotid gland. The role of COX-2 expression in the pathogenesis of Warthin's tumours remains to be determined.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore. andrew_loy@ttsh.com.sg
authors.forename: A H C
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Loy
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Putti
authors.forename: L K S
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Tan
mesh_terms: D000235:Adenolymphoma / Q000201:enzymology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000032:analysis*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000201:enzymology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000201:enzymology; D018987:Salivary Ducts / Q000201:enzymology
chemical_list: D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2