Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in Wilms tumor: immunohistochemical study using tissue microarray methodology

Cyclooxygenase-2, a key enzyme in prostaglandin biosynthesis, has been shown to be involved in the modulation of cell growth, inflammation and apoptosis. Its involvement in the development of several human neoplasms has also been documented as well as the significant antitumor effects of its inhibitors. To our knowledge cyclooxygenase-2 expression in Wilms tumor has not been studied.

A tissue microarray multitissue block was prepared from 14 samples of Wilms tumor, each from a different patient, from xenografts derived thereof, and from normal human lung, liver, renal cortex and medulla tissues as controls. Each sample was represented in the block by 3 or 4 cores 0.6 mm in diameter. After serial slicing to 4 mum the histological slides were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and immunostained with anti-cyclooxygenase-2 antibodies. Immunostaining was graded semiquantitatively according to the percent of stained cells with the cytoplasmic pattern of staining and according to staining intensity.

All authentic human pathological samples except 1 anaplastic Wilms tumor as well as Wilms tumor xenografts expressed cyclooxygenase-2 in all Wilms tumor cellular components except the stroma. Expression was also observed in Wilms tumor lung metastasis and in tumors that overgrew chemotherapy. In comparison, cyclooxygenase-2 expression in normal kidneys was less prominent than in Wilms tumor samples and it was confined to the tubular epithelium in the cortex and medulla.

Cyclooxygenase-2 expression is characteristic of all nonanaplastic Wilms tumors at all stages. It is similar to the previously observed pan-expression of ErbB2 receptors in these tumors. The potential therapeutic role of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors should be evaluated for Wilms tumor.