Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and microsomal prostagalandin E synthase-1 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
Our aim was to examine the expression of COX-2 and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1), and compare the results with clinical data.


METHODS
Expression of COX-1, COX-2, and mPGS-1 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) from 25 patients and mRNA levels were determined by the quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.


RESULTS
COX-2 overexpression was noted in tumor cells from 19 of the 25 carcinoma patients and mPGES was expressed by tumor cells from 21 patients. Localization of COX-2 and mPGES-1 was very similar, and well-differentiated tumors showed stronger expression than poorly/moderately differentiated tumors. The COX-2/GAPDH and mPGES/GAPDH mRNA ratios were significantly higher in well-differentiated carcinomas and N0 patients.


CONCLUSIONS
There was overexpression of COX-2 and its downstream enzyme mPGES-1, and their localization in tumor cells was similar, suggesting that these enzymes play both an important role in the development and proliferation of HNSCC. Furthermore, COX-2 and mPGES-1 were strongly expressed by well-differentiated carcinomas, suggesting their involvement in the differentiation of cancer.
Kawata
Ryo
R
Department of Otolaryngology, Osaka Medical College, 2-7 Daigaku-Cho Takatsuki, Osaka 569-8686, Japan. oto034@poh.osaka-med.ac.jp
Hyo
Sawako
S
Araki
Michitoshi
M
Takenaka
Hiroshi
H
D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D019746:Intramolecular Oxidoreductases / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D000071876:Prostaglandin-E Synthases
D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D019746:Intramolecular Oxidoreductases; C000605862:PTGES protein, human; D000071876:Prostaglandin-E Synthases