title: Immunohistochemical expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in oral nevi and melanoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) catalyses the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandin, and its overexpression has been demonstrated in different malignant tumors, including cutaneous melanoma. However, no data about the expression of this protein in oral melanocytic lesions are available to date. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of COX-2 in oral nevi and melanomas, comparing the results with correspondent cutaneous lesions.
  
  
  METHODS
  COX-2 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 49 oral melanocytic lesions, including 36 intramucosal nevi and 13 primary oral melanomas, and in four cutaneous nevi and eight melanomas.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All cases of oral and cutaneous melanomas were positive for COX-2. On the other hand, all oral and cutaneous melanocytic nevi were negative.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  COX-2 is highly positive in oral melanomas and negative in oral nevi and might represent a useful marker to distinguish melanocytic lesions of the oral cavity.
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, Fluminense Federal University, Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Juliana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: de Souza do Nascimento
authors.affiliation: Pathology Section, Centro Clínico de Cabeza y Cuello/Hospital Herrera Llerandi, Guatemala City, Guatemala.
authors.forename: Román
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Carlos
authors.affiliation: Oral Pathology, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.
authors.forename: Wilson
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Delgado-Azañero
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Atención a la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Mexico, Mexico.
authors.forename: Adalberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mosqueda Taylor
authors.affiliation: Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry, State University of Campinas, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Oslei Paes
authors.initials: OP
authors.lastname: de Almeida
authors.affiliation: Oral Pathology, Department of Oral Diagnosis and Pathology, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mário José
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Romañach
authors.affiliation: Oral Pathology, Department of Oral Diagnosis and Pathology, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Bruno Augusto Benevenuto
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: de Andrade
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D008545:Melanoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D009506:Nevus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult; D000096142:Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human
keywords: cutaneous melanocytic nevi; cutaneous melanoma; cyclooxygenase-2; intramucosal melanocytic nevi; oral melanoma