title: Cyclooxygenase-2 expression in feline pancreatic adenocarcinomas.
abstract: Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-II) is an inducible enzyme that is responsible for the production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), which is often upregulated in neoplastic conditions. Expression of COX-II is documented in the majority of human pancreatic adenocarcinomas and in many epithelial neoplasms in humans and animals. The purpose of this study was to assess a series of feline pancreatic adenocarcinomas for the expression of COX-II. Eight feline pancreatic adenocarcinomas (5 poorly differentiated ductular variants and 3 well-differentiated acinar variants) were included. Immunohistochemical staining showed that COX-II was expressed in 2 (both poorly differentiated ductular variants) of the 8 neoplasms (25%). Approximately 10% of the epithelial cells from these 2 neoplasms expressed intense cytoplasmic staining. However, because feline pancreatic adenocarcinoma does not appear to consistently express COX-II, it is not a useful prognostic indicator for this group of feline neoplasms. In addition, COX-II inhibitors are not likely to be effective therapeutics for cats with this neoplasm.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Tennessee, College of Veterinary Medicine, Knoxville, TN 37996-4542, USA.
authors.forename: Shelley Joy
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Newman
authors.forename: Ladonna
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mrkonjich
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D002415:Cats; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000378:metabolism; D004790:Enzyme Induction; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000662:veterinary; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D015232:Dinoprostone