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Immunohistochemical expression of cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) in oral nevi and melanoma
Author(s) -
Souza do Nascimento Juliana,
Carlos Román,
DelgadoAzañero Wilson,
Mosqueda Taylor Adalberto,
Almeida Oslei Paes,
Romañach Mário José,
Andrade Bruno Augusto Benevenuto
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of oral pathology and medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.887
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1600-0714
pISSN - 0904-2512
DOI - 10.1111/jop.12385
Subject(s) - immunohistochemistry , medicine , melanoma , pathology , cyclooxygenase , hmb 45 , melanocytic nevus , nevus , dermatology , cancer research , biology , enzyme , biochemistry
Background Cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) catalyses the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandin, and its overexpression has been demonstrated in different malignant tumors, including cutaneous melanoma. However, no data about the expression of this protein in oral melanocytic lesions are available to date. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of COX‐2 in oral nevi and melanomas, comparing the results with correspondent cutaneous lesions. Methods COX‐2 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 49 oral melanocytic lesions, including 36 intramucosal nevi and 13 primary oral melanomas, and in four cutaneous nevi and eight melanomas. Results All cases of oral and cutaneous melanomas were positive for COX‐2. On the other hand, all oral and cutaneous melanocytic nevi were negative. Conclusion COX‐2 is highly positive in oral melanomas and negative in oral nevi and might represent a useful marker to distinguish melanocytic lesions of the oral cavity.