title: COX-1 and COX-2 expression in canine cutaneous, oral and ocular melanocytic tumours.
abstract: In order to evaluate the potential value of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the treatment of canine malignant melanoma, expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 was determined in 20 cutaneous, nine oral and two ocular malignant melanomas, and in nine cutaneous melanocytomas. Almost all tumours expressed COX-1, but COX-2 expression was restricted to the malignant tumours being found in 11 of the 20 cutaneous malignant melanomas, all oral malignant melanomas and in one of two ocular malignant melanomas. COX-1 expression did not differ significantly between benign and malignant skin lesions, but COX-2 expression was significantly greater in cutaneous malignant melanoma compared with melanocytoma (P=0.047). COX-2 labelling was particularly intense in the more highly malignant oral tumours. The results of the study suggest that NSAIDs, particularly COX-2 inhibitors, may be useful in the treatment of canine malignant melanoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Sciences, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pires
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Prada
authors.forename: F L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Queiroga
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D051545:Cyclooxygenase 1 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D005123:Eye / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D005134:Eye Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000201:enzymology; D008545:Melanoma / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012867:Skin / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D051545:Cyclooxygenase 1; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2