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Cyclooxygenase-2 expression in dermatofibroma and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans
Neta Adler1, Cochava Tsabari, Jaqueline Sulkes
1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petah Tiqwa, Israel.
Journal of Cutaneous Pathology
|January 19, 2008
Summary
Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) immunostaining does not differentiate dermatofibroma (DF) from dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP). However, COX-2 is more expressed in cellular DFs, suggesting potential therapeutic implications for DFSP.
Area of Science:
- Dermatopathology
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Dermatofibroma (DF) and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) are distinct skin lesions with overlapping histological features.
- Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is an enzyme implicated in both reactive and neoplastic cellular processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression levels can differentiate between dermatofibroma (DF) and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP).
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical staining for COX-2 was performed on 20 DFs and 20 DFSPs.
- Staining was evaluated semiquantitatively for percentage and intensity.
- DF cellularity and adjacent fibrocyte staining were analyzed.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant difference in COX-2 immunopositivity was found between DFs (95%) and DFSPs (75%).
- Highly cellular DFs exhibited significantly more widespread and intense COX-2 staining compared to less cellular DFs.
- DFs showed more prominent COX-2 staining in adjacent fibroblasts than DFSPs.
Conclusions:
- COX-2 immunostaining is not a reliable method for distinguishing between DF and DFSP.
- Increased COX-2 expression in more cellular DFs may indicate a role in tumor progression or indicate younger lesions.
- The expression of COX-2 in DFSP suggests potential therapeutic avenues using COX-2 inhibitors for unresectable cases.
