Cyclooxygenase-2 expression in retinoblastoma: an immunohistochemical analysis.
OBJECTIVE
Increased level of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of cancers. High expression of COX-2 has been demonstrated in several cancer types including retinoblastoma. However, the in vivo study did not confirm the anti-proliferative effect of COX-2 inhibitor, celecoxib, on a murine transgenic retinoblastoma model. We, therefore, aim to investigate COX-2 expression in paraffin-embedded retinoblastoma specimens in a larger study group.


METHODS
We reviewed 55 retinoblastoma specimens obtained during 1995 to 2005. Clinical and histopathological data were recorded. Immunohistochemical evaluation of COX-2 expression was performed using a rabbit monoclonal antibody to human cyclooxygenase-2.


RESULTS
Forty-four of 55 specimens (80%) showed negative immunoreactivity for COX-2 expression. For the 11 specimens (20%, 95% CI = 11.6-32.4%) with positive COX-2, all immunostainings were less than 50% of tumor area. Demographic data and treatment details were available in 53 specimens. Enucleation was performed as a primary treatment in 43 specimens (81%). Other treatments, mainly systemic chemotherapy, were given prior to enucleation in 10 specimens (19%). There was no statistical difference in COX-2 expression between the specimens identified as primary and secondary enucleation (p = 0.66). Regarding the histopathological findings, there were no significant differences between COX-2 negative and COX-2 positive groups.


CONCLUSIONS
It appears that COX-2 is not overexpressed in our retinoblastoma specimens, which is different from previous studies. This conflicting data reduces the possibility of introducing Cox-2 inhibitors in the treatment of retinoblastoma.
Atchaneeyasakul
La-ongsri
LO
Department of Ophthalmology, Siriraj Hospital Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. atchanee@hotmail.com
Uiprasertkul
Mongkol
M
Trinavarat
Adisak
A
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D015353:Eye Enucleation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D019572:Retinal Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D012175:Retinoblastoma / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery
D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2