[Expression of cyclooxygenase in bladder transitional cell carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the role of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in the development of bladder transitional cell carcinoma.

METHODS

Thirty-four specimens were obtained from patients with bladder transitional carcinoma, and 7 specimens of normal bladder tissues were obtained from renal transplantation donors. Immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR were performed to study the expression of COX-1 and COX-2.

RESULTS

No marked expression of COX-2 was observed in the normal bladder, but higher level of COX-2 expression was noted in the malignant cells. The extent and intensity of COX-2 expression in cancer cells were statistically greater than those in the cells from normal bladder tissue. Correlation between COX-2 expression and progression of bladder transitional cell carcinoma was observed. COX-2 expression was significantly higher in Grade 3 bladder transitional cell carcinoma than in Grades 1 and 2 (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in COX-2 expression level between the bladder transitional cell carcinomas at different clinical stages (P > 0.05). The expression of COX-1 was seen in some bladder transitional cell carcinoma and normal bladder.

CONCLUSION

COX-2 might be of significance to the proliferation and development of bladder transitional cell carcinoma.