Liver Cancer
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2002. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Oct 15, 2002; 8(5): 815-817
Published online Oct 15, 2002. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v8.i5.815
Significance of cyclooxygenase-2 expression in human primary hepatocellular carcinoma
De-Kai Qiu, Xiong Ma, Yan-Shen Peng, Xiao-Yu Chen
De-Kai Qiu, Xiong Ma, Yan-Shen Peng, Xiao-Yu Chen, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Diseases, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Second Medical University, Shanghai, 200001, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Dr. De-Kai Qiu, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Diseases, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Second Medical University, 145 Shandong (z) Road, Shanghai, 200001, China. dekaiqiu@sh163.net
Telephone: +86-21-63200874 Fax: +86-21-63266027
Received: December 20, 2001
Revised: February 1, 2002
Accepted: February 9, 2002
Published online: October 15, 2002
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 investigated in 27 HCC tissues with adjacent nontumorous tissues, and 5 histologically normal liver tissues, using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization.

RESULTS: The well-differentiated HCC expressed COX-2 protein (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 ± 1.92) (P < 0.01 respectively); More intensive staining of COX-2 in adjacent nontumorous tissues was observed than that in normal liver tissues (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference among adjacent nontumorous tissues, moderately differentiated HCC and poorly differentiated HCC (P > 0.05). The expression of COX-2 mRNA was observed in the cytoplasm of the cells of HCC and of the hepatocytes in adjacent nontumorous tissues in which COX-2 protein was positive.

CONCLUSION: The overexpression of COX-2 in well-differentiated HCC suggests that COX-2 may play a role in the early stages of hepatocarcinogensis.

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