Role of immunohistochemical cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) and osteocalcin in differentiating between osteoblastomas and osteosarcomas
- Author:
Zeinab H El-badawi, Eman MS Muhammad, Hassan H Noaman
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
COX-2, osteocalcin, osteosarcoma, osteoblastoma, immunohistochemistry
- From:The Malaysian Journal of Pathology
2012;34(1):15-23
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background/Aims: Differential diagnosis between aggressive osteoblastoma and low grade osteosarcoma may be very diffi cult or even impossible on a small biopsy. This study was designed to assess the usefulness of immunoexpression of COX-2 and osteocalcin in the differential diagnosis
of the two tumour types. Methods: Immunostaining of COX 2 and osteocalcin were studied in 9 osteoblastomas and 30 osteosarcomas. Results: All osteoblastomas and 11/20 (55%) high-grade osteosarcomas showed COX-2 immunoreactivity. All low grade osteosarcomas were COX-2 negative.
COX-2 was signifi cantly higher (p<0.002) in osteoblastomas 9/9 (100%) than in osteosarcomas 13/30
(43%) and in aggressive osteoblastomas versus low grade osteosarcomas (p<0.01). Osteocalcin was found in tumour cells of all osteosarcomas and osteoblastomas and in the osteoid matrix of 84% of osteosarcomas and 78% of osteoblastomas. Strong osteocalcin was signifi cantly higher (p<0.02) in osteoblastomas (78%) than in osteosarcomas (27%). Conclusion: COX-2 is a valuable marker in distinction between osteosarcoma and osteoblastoma. Negative COX-2 could confi rm the diagnosis
of low grade osteosarcoma versus aggressive osteoblastoma. Intensity and distribution of osteocalcin
may indicate the degree of osteoblastic differentiation.
- Full text:W020151218423258721803.pdf
