Title: Significance of cyclooxygenase—2 expression in human primary hepatocellular carcinoma
Abstract: AIM: To clarify the significance of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in human primary hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) and adjacent nontumorous tissues.METHODS: The COX-2 protein and mRNA were investigatedin 27 HCC tissues with adjacent nontumorous tissues, and 5histologically normal liver tissues, using immunohistochemistryand in situ hybridization.RESULTS: The well-differentiated HCC expressed COX-2protein (5.68±1.19) more strongly than moderated HCC(3.43± 1.98) and poor differentiated HCC (3.33± 1.50)(P<0.05 respectively), adjacent nontumorous tissues (4.93±1.05) and normal liver tissues (3.20±1.g2) (P<0.01respectively); More intensive staining of COX-2 in adjacentnontumorous tissues was observed than that in normal livertissues (P<0.05). There was no significant difference amongadjacent nontumorous tissues, moderately differentiated HCCand poorly differentiated HCC (P>0.05). The expression ofCOX-2 mRNA was observed in the cytoplasm of the cells ofHCC and of the hepatocytes in adjacent nontumorous tissuesin which COX-2 protein was positive.CONCLUSION: The overexpression of COX-2 in well-differentiated HCC suggests that COX-2 may play a role inthe early stages of hepatocarcinogensis.
Publication Year: 2002
Publication Date: 2002-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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