Cyclo-oxygenase-2 expression in photon-radiated and non-radiated uveal melanomas.
OBJECTIVE
To determine and compare cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in photon-radiated and non-radiated malignant uveal melanomas and to analyse the correlation between COX-2 expression and prognosis.


METHODS
Immunohistochemical staining for COX-2 was performed on 21 uveal melanomas that were endoresected after prior stereotactic radiotherapy with photons and on 22 tumours that were treated by endoresection without prior radiotherapy. COX-2 staining was further analysed in respect to cell type, maximal prominence, time interval between radiotherapy and surgery, apoptotic index (AI), proliferative index (PI) and the development of metastatic disease.


RESULTS
There was no difference in COX-2 expression between radiated and non-radiated melanomas (P>0.15). COX-2 staining correlated with neither the tumour prominence (P>0.40) nor the AI or the PI (both P>0.35). Tumours with high COX-2 expression were significantly more likely to develop metastasis (P=0.022).


CONCLUSIONS
Radiotherapy with photons does not induce COX-2 expression in malignant melanomas of the uvea. But high COX-2 expression may be a marker for poor prognosis.
University Eye Hospital, Centre for Ophthalmology, Department for Radiation Oncology, Eberhard-Karls University of Tuebingen, Germany.
Daniela
D
Suesskind
Frank
F
Paulsen
Markus
M
Buchgeister
Bernhard
B
Spitzer
Jens M
JM
Rohrbach
Karl U
KU
Bartz-Schmidt
Martin S
MS
Spitzer
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D017785:Photons; D011379:Prognosis; D011882:Radiotherapy, High-Energy; D012429:Ruthenium Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014604:Uveal Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000532:radiotherapy
D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D012429:Ruthenium Radioisotopes; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2