Expression of COX-2 and prognostic outcome in uveal melanoma.
OBJECTIVE
The expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and its prognostic value in uveal melanoma was examined.


METHODS
Paraffin-embedded sections from 32 clinicopathologically well-characterized cases of primary uveal melanoma were immunohistochemically stained for COX-2. COX-2 expression was evaluated in terms of both the intensity and the extent of staining for each tumor. A COX-2 score encompassing both intensity and extent was also calculated for each specimen.


RESULTS
29 specimens (90.6%) contained moderate or intense positive immunoreactivity for COX-2. A statistically significant association (p<0.05) between COX-2 expression (intensity and score) and metastatic death was established.


CONCLUSIONS
Upregulation of COX-2 expression appears to be associated with poor prognosis in uveal melanoma.
Cryan
Lorna M
LM
School of Medicine and Medical Science, UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, and Department of Ophthalmology, Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Paraoan
Luminita
L
Hiscott
Paul
P
Damato
Bertil E
BE
Grierson
Ian
I
Gray
Donna
D
Farrell
Michael
M
Doherty
Glen A
GA
Fitzgerald
Desmond J
DJ
O'Brien
Colm
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002830:Choroid Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate
D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human