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Cyclooxygenase-2 expression in Warthin's tumour

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 March 2006

A H C Loy
Affiliation:
Department of Pathology, National University Hospital, Singapore
T C Putti
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore
L K S Tan
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, National University Hospital, Singapore

Abstract

Objectives: To determine whether cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is overexpressed in Warthin's tumours, and to characterize its pattern of expression.

Methods: Twenty-one paraffin-embedded Warthin's tumour specimens were analysed by immunohistochemical staining for expression of human COX-2. Semi-quantitative analysis of the staining was performed.

Results: In all of the specimens, we found that there was overexpression of COX-2 within the epithelial component of the tumours, with no expression in the lymphoid components. There was also overexpression of COX-2 in the salivary duct system of normal parotid tissue.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that COX-2 is up-regulated in the epithelial component of Warthin's tumours. Our findings support the hypothesis that Warthin's tumours originate from heterotopic ductal epithelial cells of the parotid gland. The role of COX-2 expression in the pathogenesis of Warthin's tumours remains to be determined.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 2005 Royal Society of Medicine Press

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