Expression of Cyclooxygenase-2 in Malignant Melanoma.
- Author:
Do Sang JUNG
1
;
Chang Keun OH
;
Ho Sun JANG
;
Moon Bum KIM
;
Kyung Sool KWON
Author Information
1. Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Pusan National University, Busan, Korea. ckoh@pusan.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Cyclooxygenase-2;
Malignant melanoma
- MeSH:
Biopsy;
Busan;
Carcinogenesis;
Cyclooxygenase 2*;
Dermatology;
Humans;
Lymph Nodes;
Melanocytes;
Melanoma*;
Neoplasm Metastasis;
Nevus;
Paraffin;
Prognosis;
Skin
- From:Korean Journal of Dermatology
2005;43(1):15-21
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Several reports have suggested that the expression of cycloxygenase-2 (COX-2) is related to carcinogenesis and the prognosis of cancer. However, few studies have demonstrated the increased expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in malignant melanoma. Furthermore the role of COX-2 in malignant melanoma has not been fully established. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to investigate COX-2 expression in malignant melanomas and to also find the relationship between the prognostic factors of malignant melanoma and COX-2 expression. METHODS: We performed immunohistochemical staining on paraffin specimens obtained from patients who had undergone a skin biopsy at the Department of Dermatology, Pusan National University Hospital. The specimens were composed of primary cutaneous malignant melanoma (n=17) and nevomelanocytic nevus (n=7). We analyzed the expressions of COX-2 in malignant melanoma with relation to their clinicopathologic type, Breslow thickness, Clark level, lymph node metastasis and TNM stage. RESULTS: COX-2 was expressed in 88.2% (15/17) of the malignant melanoma, but in none of the nevomelanocytic nevus. In malignant melanoma, COX-2 expression was positively related to nodular type, Breslow thickness, Clark level and TNM stage, but not to lymph node metastasis. CONCLUSION: The above results indicate that expressed COX-2 is in malignant melanoma, suggesting that COX-2 expression may contribute to the carcinogenesis of melanocytes.
