Expression of cyclooxygenase-2(cox-2) in human tongue squamous cell carcinoma and its precancerous lesions

Objectives: To investigate the expression and significance of cox-2 in the tissues of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and precancerous lesions immunohistochemically. Materials and methods: Postoperation specimens of oral squamous cell carcinomas of tongue(n=60) and clinical biopsy specimens of precancerous lesions(tongue leukoplakia n=20) obtained from pathology department of Shanghai 9th hospital from Jan 2002 to Oct 2003 using 10 healthy oral mucosal specimen in the same period as control. Evaluation of the expression of cox-2 in each group by immunohistochemistry. Results: cox-2 expression was found in 1 case of healthy tongue mucosa(1/10) which was mainly stained in the basal layer. In the cases of tongue dysplasia and SCC, the rate of cox-2 expression is 65.0%(13/20) and 78.3%(47/60) respectively. Cox-2 expression was significantly stronger in the former (p=0.0217). Conclusion: The expression of cox-2 are Up-regulated in the oral SCC , precancerous lesions respectively but in different levels. Cox-2 maybe a new target for the prevention or treatment of oral cancers and precancerous lesions.