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Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in human invasive transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urinary bladder
S I Mohammed1, D W Knapp, D G Bostwick
1Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA.
Abstract:
Cyclooxygenase (COX)-inhibiting drugs have antitumor activity in canine and rodent models of urinary bladder cancer. Two isoenzymes of COX have been identified, COX-1 and COX-2. The purpose of this study was to characterize COX-1 and COX-2 expression in human invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. COX-2 was not expressed in normal urinary bladder samples but was detected in 25 of 29 (86%) invasive transitional cell carcinomas of the urinary bladder and in 6 of 8 (75%) cases of carcinoma in situ. These results indicate that COX-2 may play a role in bladder cancer in humans and support further study of COX-2 inhibitors as potential antitumor agents in human bladder cancer.
Insights
Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is highly expressed in human bladder cancers, suggesting it plays a role in tumor development. This finding supports exploring COX-2 inhibitors as potential treatments for bladder cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Cyclooxygenase (COX)-inhibiting drugs demonstrate antitumor effects in preclinical models of urinary bladder cancer.
- Two primary cyclooxygenase isoenzymes, COX-1 and COX-2, have been identified.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression patterns of COX-1 and COX-2 in human invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder.
- To determine the potential role of COX-2 in the pathogenesis of human bladder cancer.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was employed to analyze COX-1 and COX-2 protein expression.
- Western blot analysis was utilized to further characterize COX isoenzyme expression in tissue samples.
Main Results:
- COX-2 was notably absent in normal urinary bladder tissues.
- COX-2 expression was detected in 86% (25/29) of invasive transitional cell carcinomas.
- COX-2 was also found in 75% (6/8) of carcinoma in situ cases.
Conclusions:
- The elevated expression of COX-2 in human bladder tumors suggests its involvement in bladder cancer development.
- These findings provide a rationale for investigating COX-2 inhibitors as a therapeutic strategy for human bladder cancer.