Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 9, 2026
06:15
Anterior High-Resolution Optical Coherence Tomography in the Diagnosis and Therapeutic Monitoring of Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia
Published on: August 9, 2024
Cyclooxygenase-2 expression in primary and recurrent pterygium
U Adiguzel1, T Karabacak, A Sari
1Department of Ophthalmology, Mersin University School of Medicine, Mersin, Turkey. adiguzelu@yahoo.com
European Journal of Ophthalmology
|December 1, 2007
Summary
Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression is elevated in recurrent pterygium tissues, suggesting it may serve as a predictive marker for pterygium recurrence. This finding is crucial for understanding and managing this invasive ocular surface disease.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Pterygium is an invasive ocular surface disease linked to UV exposure and exhibiting tumor-like traits.
- Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is an enzyme with increased expression in various cancers and premalignant lesions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression levels of COX-2 in pterygium tissues.
- To determine if COX-2 expression correlates with pterygium recurrence.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical staining for COX-2 was performed on 30 primary pterygium, 11 recurrent pterygium, and 8 conjunctival tumor specimens.
- Normal conjunctiva specimens (n=10) served as controls.
- Cytoplasmic and membranous COX-2 staining intensity and extent in epithelial cells were evaluated.
Main Results:
- Conjunctival tumors (87.5%) and recurrent pterygia (72.7%) showed higher COX-2 expression than normal conjunctiva (30%) and primary pterygia without recurrence (30%).
- Recurrent pterygium tissues exhibited significantly higher COX-2 expression compared to primary pterygia without recurrence (p=0.022).
- COX-2 expression in primary pterygia with recurrence did not differ significantly from primary pterygia without recurrence or recurrent pterygia.
Conclusions:
- COX-2 expression is significantly increased in recurrent pterygium tissues.
- Elevated COX-2 expression may serve as a potential biomarker for predicting pterygium recurrence.