Cyclooxygenase 2 expression in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and vulvar cancer.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to describe the expression of cyclooxygenase (COX) 2 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and vulvar cancer specimens.


METHODS
Archived tissues from 21 cases including 6 cases negative for CIN (no CIN), 71 low-grade (CIN 1) diseases, 8 high-grade (CIN 2, 3) diseases, and 14 vulvar cancer cases were examined. Immunohistochemistry was evaluated in COX-2 expression in tissue using an isoform-specific COX-2 polyclonal antibody. Specimens were assigned an immunohistochemical score for intensity of staining and the percent of cells stained. The slides were scored by 2 independent pathologists and compared across histological categories.


RESULTS
A greater proportion of cells were stained in specimens with high-grade CIN (p = 0.01). Staining intensity was not statistically different among the 3 groups. Higher scores were found for vulvar cancer as compared with normal vulva (p = 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The increase in COX-2 in cervical cancer precursors may provide a potential target for prevention studies.
Mitchell
Amy
A
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
Newton
J Michael
JM
Brite
Kathleen
K
Einspahr
Janine
J
Ellis
Malathi
M
Davis
John
J
Nuno
Thomas
T
Alberts
David S
DS
Garcia
Francisco
F
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D014846:Vulvar Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human