Immunohistochemical expression of COX-2 in thyroid nodules

Recent evidence indicates that elevated COX-2 expression is associated with the carcinogenesis of numerous neoplasms. In this study, we investigated COX-2 expression in various thyroid specimens in order to elucidate its physiological role in pathologic conditions, and to evaluate the efficiency of...

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Published inThe Korean journal of internal medicine Vol. 18; no. 4; pp. 225 - 229
Main Authors Kim, Sang Jin, Lee, Jae Hak, Yoon, Ji Sung, Mok, Ji O, Kim, Yeo Joo, Park, Hyeong Kyu, Kim, Chul Hee, Byun, Dong Won, Suh, Kyo Il, Yoo, Myung Hi
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Korea (South) Korean Association of Internal Medicine 01.12.2003
Subjects
Biomarkers, Tumor - analysis
Cyclooxygenase 2
Humans
Immunohistochemistry
Isoenzymes - analysis
Membrane Proteins
Original
Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases - analysis
Thyroid Nodule - enzymology
Thyroid Nodule - pathology
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Summary:Recent evidence indicates that elevated COX-2 expression is associated with the carcinogenesis of numerous neoplasms. In this study, we investigated COX-2 expression in various thyroid specimens in order to elucidate its physiological role in pathologic conditions, and to evaluate the efficiency of COX-2 protein expression as a molecular marker of malignancy in the thyroid gland. COX-2 expression was studied immunohistochemically in 19 papillary carcinomas, 8 follicular carcinomas, 14 follicular adenomas, 2 Hürthle cell carcinomas, 4 Hürthle cell adenomas, 8 nodular hyperplasias, 3 Graves' diseases, 3 Hashimoto's thyroiditis, 2 medullary carcinomas, 1 anaplastic carcinoma, and 20 normal thyroid tissues. COX-2 staining was not seen in any of the normal thyroid, Graves' disease, or nodular hyperplasia specimens. In contrast, COX-2 staining was observed in all of papillary carcinomas, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Hürthle cell carcinomas, and Hürthle cell adenomas tissues. Moreover, 7 of 8 follicular carcinomas and 11 of 14 follicular adenomas showed COX-2 staining. These results indicate that COX-2 is not useful as a marker of malignancy. Since COX-2 expression was evident in follicular adenomas and in papillary and follicular carcinomas. Thus, the enzyme may be involved in the early process of thyroid tumorigenesis.
ISSN:1226-3303
2005-6648
DOI:10.3904/kjim.2003.18.4.225