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Updated: Jun 17, 2026
Development of Compendium for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Published on: April 12, 2024
Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and microsomal prostagalandin E synthase-1 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Ryo Kawata1, Sawako Hyo, Michitoshi Araki
1Department of Otolaryngology, Osaka Medical College, 2-7 Daigaku-Cho Takatsuki, Osaka 569-8686, Japan. oto034@poh.osaka-med.ac.jp
Objective:
Our aim was to examine the expression of COX-2 and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1), and compare the results with clinical data.
Patients And Methods:
Expression of COX-1, COX-2, and mPGS-1 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) from 25 patients and mRNA levels were determined by the quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.
Results:
COX-2 overexpression was noted in tumor cells from 19 of the 25 carcinoma patients and mPGES was expressed by tumor cells from 21 patients. Localization of COX-2 and mPGES-1 was very similar, and well-differentiated tumors showed stronger expression than poorly/moderately differentiated tumors. The COX-2/GAPDH and mPGES/GAPDH mRNA ratios were significantly higher in well-differentiated carcinomas and N0 patients.
Conclusions:
There was overexpression of COX-2 and its downstream enzyme mPGES-1, and their localization in tumor cells was similar, suggesting that these enzymes play both an important role in the development and proliferation of HNSCC. Furthermore, COX-2 and mPGES-1 were strongly expressed by well-differentiated carcinomas, suggesting their involvement in the differentiation of cancer.
