Cyclooxygenase-2 expression in medullary thyroid carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Recent studies have demonstrated that cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression is associated with the carcinogenesis of numerous neoplasms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of COX-2 in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC).


METHODS
Tissue specimens of thyroid neoplasms were obtained from 22 patients with MTC and 15 control subjects with nonmalignant thyroid specimens.


RESULTS
This immunohistochemical study confirms the presence of COX-2 in a significant number of MTCs. A large area of staining was noted in only 2 patients in the control group (13%) compared with 18 (82%) in the medullary carcinoma group. On a scale of 0 to 3, the average area of positive staining measured 2.35 in the study group and 0.9 in the control group (p < .0001). The average intensity of staining on a scale of 0 to 5 (deep brown) was 2.15 and 0.8 mm, respectively (p < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
COX-2 is expressed significantly in MTC including a larger area of staining and greater intensity than in nonmalignant thyroid tissue. These findings may have important treatment implications for the use of COX-2 inhibitors in patients with MTC.
Popovtzer
Aron
A
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery and Felsenstein Research Medical Center, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petah Tiqwa, Israel. aronp@med.umich.edu
Morgenstein
Sara
S
Roizman
Pepi
P
Gutman
Dan
D
Bahar
Gidi
G
Stern
Yoram
Y
Feinmesser
Rafael
R
D000236:Adenoma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018276:Carcinoma, Medullary / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2