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Cyclo‐oxygenase‐2 expression in photon‐radiated and non‐radiated uveal melanomas
Author(s) -
Suesskind Daniela,
Paulsen Frank,
Buchgeister Markus,
Spitzer Bernhard,
Rohrbach Jens M.,
BartzSchmidt Karl U.,
Spitzer Martin S.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2008.01475.x
Subject(s) - expression (computer science) , physics , computer science , programming language
. Purpose: To determine and compare cyclo‐oxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) expression in photon‐radiated and non‐radiated malignant uveal melanomas and to analyse the correlation between COX‐2 expression and prognosis. Methods: Immunohistochemical staining for COX‐2 was performed on 21 uveal melanomas that were endoresected after prior stereotactic radiotherapy with photons and on 22 tumours that were treated by endoresection without prior radiotherapy. COX‐2 staining was further analysed in respect to cell type, maximal prominence, time interval between radiotherapy and surgery, apoptotic index (AI), proliferative index (PI) and the development of metastatic disease. Results: There was no difference in COX‐2 expression between radiated and non‐radiated melanomas ( P > 0.15). COX‐2 staining correlated with neither the tumour prominence ( P > 0.40) nor the AI or the PI (both P > 0.35). Tumours with high COX‐2 expression were significantly more likely to develop metastasis ( P = 0.022). Conclusion: Radiotherapy with photons does not induce COX‐2 expression in malignant melanomas of the uvea. But high COX‐2 expression may be a marker for poor prognosis.