COX-2 over-expression correlates with VEGF and tumour angiogenesis in canine mammary cancer

Tumour-Associated Macrophages (TAMs) and Cox-2 Expression in Canine Melanocytic Lesions

“…Cox<1 and Cox<2 expression in canine melanocytic lesions has been recently published by the authors, describing that Cox<2 expression was restricted to the malignant melanoma group, being found in 11 of the 20 cutaneous malignant melanomas, in all oral malignant melanomas and in one of two ocular malignant melanomas analyzed. Authors also found that Cox<2 labeling was particularly intense in the more aggressive oral tumours (Pires et al, 2010). In human melanoma, Cox<2 has been implied in tumour progression (Chwirot&Kuzbicki, 2007;Kuzbicki et al, 2006).…”

“…Additionally, Cox<2 expression appears as a useful prognostic marker being related with histological and clinical malignant melanoma aggressiveness (Becker et al, 2009). In canine melanocytic tumours, Cox<2 expression was recently described (Paglia et al, 2009;Pires et al, 2010). Cox<2 over<expression was related with a tumoural malignant behavior (Pires et al, 2010) and with a poor overall survival (Martínez et al, 2011).…”

“…In canine melanocytic tumours, Cox<2 expression was recently described (Paglia et al, 2009;Pires et al, 2010). Cox<2 over<expression was related with a tumoural malignant behavior (Pires et al, 2010) and with a poor overall survival (Martínez et al, 2011). In the present work, Cox<2 expression was associated with ulceration (p=0,005), necrosis (p=0,003), mitotic index (p=0,029), nuclear grade (p=0,035) and degree of pigmentation (p=0,001).…”

“…Mitotic index was calculated by counting all the mitosis present in 10 high power fields (HPF) (400x): mitotic index I (<3 mitosis in 10 HPF); mitotic index II (3-5 mitosis in 10 HPF) or mitotic index III (>5 mitosis in 10 HPF). For nuclear grade, the following grades were defined: (i) nuclear grade I when the nuclei had minimal variations in their shape and size compared to normal nuclei; (ii) nuclear grade II consisted of moderate alterations of nuclear shape; and (iii) nuclear grade III consisted of the nuclei that were irregular and larger than normal (Queiroga et al, 2010).The degree of pigmentation was estimated using a subjective scale from scant (pigment in fewer than 30% of cells), moderate (pigmentation in 31-80% of cells), and abundant (pigment in more than 80% of cells). The amount of stroma was categorized in: scant, moderate, and abundant (Ramos<Vara et al, 2000).…”

“…Concerning malignant melanoma, in humans it was recently reported that changes in Cox<2 expression levels were correlated with development and progression of human melanoma (Goulet et al, 2003;Kuzbicki et al, 2006). COX<2 expression arises as a potential immunohistochemical marker for distinguishing human cutaneous melanomas from benign melanocytic lesions (Minami et al, 2011;Pires et al, 2010). Additionally, Cox<2 expression appears as a useful prognostic marker being related with histological and clinical malignant melanoma aggressiveness (Becker et al, 2009).…”