Diop Nicolas, Canonne Aude M, Huet Hélène, Reyes-Gomez Edouard, Béguin Jérémy
École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Maisons-Alfort, France.
École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Service de Médecine Interne, Maisons-Alfort, France.
J Feline Med Surg. 2025 Jun;27(6):1098612X251314336. doi: 10.1177/1098612X251314336. Epub 2025 Jun 16.
ObjectivesCyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), a pivotal enzyme in the cyclooxygenase family, plays a critical role in carcinogenesis. While its expression is well documented in various neoplasms in humans and dogs, data on COX-2 expression in feline neoplasms, particularly nasal malignant epithelial tumours, is limited. This study aimed to evaluate COX-2 expression in feline nasal malignant epithelial tumours through immunohistochemistry. We hypothesised that these tumours would exhibit COX-2 expression, consistent with findings in humans and dogs.MethodsFormalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded biopsy samples from feline nasal malignant epithelial tumours were retrospectively analysed for COX-2 expression by immunohistochemistry. Biopsies from cats previously treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were excluded. Immunohistochemistry was performed with a monoclonal rabbit antibody, with feline renal macula densa cells serving as the positive control. The immunoreactive score (IRS) combined a semiquantitative estimation of immunolabelled neoplastic cells with labelling intensity. Scores in the range of 0-1 were classified as negative, 2-3 as low, 4-8 as intermediate and greater than 8 as high COX-2 expression levels.ResultsA total of 18 feline nasal biopsies (nine adenocarcinomas, seven carcinomas, one squamous cell carcinoma and one mucinous carcinoma) were included. Clinical signs included nasal discharge, sneezing, epistaxis and inspiratory dyspnoea. COX-2 expression was not detected in any case (IRS = 0). Follow-up data were available for 7/18 cats. The overall median survival time after diagnosis in our cohort was 667 days (range 0-1642).Conclusions and relevanceIn contrast to canine nasal malignant epithelial tumours, COX-2 expression was not observed in feline nasal malignant epithelial tumours. These results suggest species-specific differences in COX-2 expression in nasal malignant epithelial tumours. Further studies evaluating other carcinogenesis pathways, such as vascular endothelial growth factor or platelet-derived growth factor, seem crucial to better understand feline nasal malignant epithelial tumours and to improve their therapeutic management.
目的环氧化酶-2（COX-2）是环氧化酶家族中的关键酶，在肿瘤发生过程中起重要作用。虽然其在人类和犬类的各种肿瘤中的表达已有充分记录，但关于COX-2在猫科动物肿瘤，尤其是鼻恶性上皮肿瘤中的表达数据有限。本研究旨在通过免疫组织化学评估COX-2在猫鼻恶性上皮肿瘤中的表达。我们假设这些肿瘤会表现出COX-2表达，这与人类和犬类的研究结果一致。方法对来自猫鼻恶性上皮肿瘤的福尔马林固定、石蜡包埋活检样本进行回顾性免疫组织化学分析，以检测COX-2表达。排除先前接受过非甾体抗炎药治疗的猫的活检样本。使用单克隆兔抗体进行免疫组织化学，以猫肾致密斑细胞作为阳性对照。免疫反应评分（IRS）将免疫标记肿瘤细胞的半定量估计与标记强度相结合。0-1分被归类为阴性，2-3分为低表达，4-8分为中度表达，大于8分为高COX-2表达水平。结果共纳入18例猫鼻活检样本（9例腺癌、7例癌、1例鳞状细胞癌和1例黏液癌）。临床症状包括鼻分泌物、打喷嚏、鼻出血和吸气性呼吸困难。所有病例均未检测到COX-2表达（IRS = 0）。18只猫中有7只可获得随访数据。我们队列中诊断后的总体中位生存时间为667天（范围0-1642天）。结论及相关性与犬鼻恶性上皮肿瘤不同，猫鼻恶性上皮肿瘤中未观察到COX-2表达。这些结果表明鼻恶性上皮肿瘤中COX-2表达存在物种特异性差异。进一步评估其他肿瘤发生途径，如血管内皮生长因子或血小板衍生生长因子的研究，对于更好地理解猫鼻恶性上皮肿瘤并改善其治疗管理似乎至关重要。
