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Updated: Aug 16, 2026
Induction of Mesenchymal-Epithelial Transitions in Sarcoma Cells
Published on: April 7, 2017
Cyclooxygenase-2 expression in human soft-tissue sarcomas is related to epithelial differentation
Patrik Lassus1, Ari Ristimäki, Riikka Huuhtanen
1Department of Plastic Surgery, HUSLAB, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. patrik.lassus@hus.fi
Background:
Cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) is expressed by several types of epithelial malignancies, i.e., carcinomas, and inhibition of Cox-2 may have a therapeutic role in chemoprevention and treatment of cancer. The role of Cox-2 in non-epithelial malignancies, however, is unclear.
Materials And Methods:
We investigated, by immuno- histochemistry, the expression of Cox-2 in 103 human soft-tissue sarcomas.
Results:
All 10 biphasic synovial sarcomas were positive for Cox-2, but positivity was observable only in the epithelial component of these tumours. Excluding sarcomas with epithelial differentation, uniform staining of the tumour was observed in only 2 samples. In addition, positivity for Cox-2 appeared in tumour cells in only 18 samples around necrotic areas.
Conclusion:
In human soft-tissue sarcomas, Cox-2 expression seems to be associated with epithelial differentation and, in some types of sarcomas, to be expressed in otherwise negative tumours at sites of necrosis.
Insights
Cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) expression in soft-tissue sarcomas is linked to epithelial differentiation. Positivity for Cox-2 was also observed in tumor cells near necrotic areas in some sarcoma types.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Pathology
Background:
- Cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) is implicated in epithelial cancers.
- Its role in non-epithelial malignancies like soft-tissue sarcomas is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of Cox-2 in human soft-tissue sarcomas.
- To determine if Cox-2 expression correlates with specific sarcoma types or features.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was used to detect Cox-2 expression.
- The study analyzed 103 human soft-tissue sarcoma samples.
Main Results:
- All 10 biphasic synovial sarcomas showed Cox-2 positivity, exclusively in the epithelial component.
- Uniform Cox-2 staining in non-epithelial sarcomas was rare (2 samples).
- Cox-2 expression was noted in tumor cells adjacent to necrotic areas in 18 samples.
Conclusions:
- Cox-2 expression in soft-tissue sarcomas appears associated with epithelial differentiation.
- Necrosis may induce Cox-2 expression in otherwise negative tumors in certain sarcoma subtypes.
