Cyclooxygenase-2: a possible target in schistosoma-associated bladder cancer

To analyse and compare the expression of cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes in schistosoma-associated bladder cancer, and to determine any association with tumour grade or stage.

Sixty paired samples of tumour and adjacent nonmalignant urothelium were identified. There were 25 squamous and 28 transitional cell carcinomas, and seven adenocarcinomas. Serial sections were obtained and a standard three-layer immunohistochemistry protocol, using COX-1- and COX-2-specific mouse monoclonal antibodies, applied.

COX-1 was expressed mostly in nonvascular smooth muscle with weak reactivity in malignant and nonmalignant urothelium. Nonmalignant urothelium expressed COX-2 weakly, notably in areas of dysplasia and squamous metaplasia whereas there was a significant increase in COX-2 (P < 0.001) with moderate to strong granular cytoplasmic expression in all three malignant histological types. The COX-2 reactivity was higher in transitional and adenocarcinomas than in squamous cell carcinoma (P < 0.001). Areas of carcinoma in situ showed COX-2 reactivity comparable with that in invasive areas and more intense than that detected in dysplastic or metaplastic urothelium (P < 0.001). There was a statistically significant positive correlation between COX-2 expression and tumour grade (P = 0.0052).

COX-2 is over-expressed in schistosoma-associated bladder cancer, consistent with a potential role for COX-2 inhibitors in the prevention and management of this disease.