후두편평세포암종에서 Cyclooxygenase-2의 발현

Background and Objective: The increased levels of prostaglandins have been detected in multiple epithelial cancers including those of head and neck origin. The cyclooxygenase catalyzes the synthesis of prostaglandins from arachidonic acid. COX-2, the inducible form of cyclooxygenase, is upregulated in transformed cells and in malignant tissues. In laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas, COX-2 was overexpressed compared with normal mucosa from healthy volunteers. Materials and Method: The twenty one specimens were obtained from the patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. The immunohistochemistry was performed using the COX-2 monoclonal antibody. Results: The immunohistochemical stains revealed intense positive staining with the antibodies against COX-2 in the well differentiated areas of the laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas. In the moderate to poor differentiated areas of the laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas, the stains were weak or negative. The expressions of COX-2 were not affected by stages of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Conclusions: The immunohistochemical analysis showed that the expressions of COX-2 in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma were closely related with cell differentiation. Taken together, these results suggest that COX-2 may be a target for the prevention or treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. (J Clinical Otolaryngol 2001;12:244-248)