ABSTRACT
Background: cyclooxygenase-2 [cox-2] is involved in pathogenesis of various skin tumors including malignant melanoma; however, there is not enough information about cox-2 expression in benign melanocytic lesions. In the present study we compared the expression levels of cox-2 in malignant melanoma and benign melanocytic lesions
Methods: In this analytical study, 42 malignant melanoma from all 4 subtypes and 38 benign melanocytic lesions including dysplastic nevus, Spitz nevus and atypical nevus were evaluated for cox-2 expression using immunohistochemistry staining and intensity of cell staining [quantitatively and qualitatively]
Results: Malignant melanoma compared to benign melanocytic lesions had significantly higher levels of staining [p<0.00l], and much more intense coloration [p<0.00l] and higher overall staining score [p<0.001]
Regarding the cox-2 staining between malignant melanoma subtypes, all four subtypes mostly had staining intensity over 60%. Also in terms of quality, the most intense staining was in the ALM, and LM and NM had moderate staining intensity. With increasing depth of involvement, cox-2 staining increases. Intensity of cell staining was also higher in cases with tumor depth of 2-4 mm
Conclusion: The results indicate the effectiveness of cox-2 in differentiating between malignant melanoma and benign melanocytic lesions, cox-2 expression correlated with the depth of invasion. Although cox-2 alone cannot be used to differentiate melanoma from benign lesions, it can be helpful in combination with other methods, in determining the prognosis and future targeted therapies
Subject(s)
Skin Neoplasms/pathology , Melanoma/pathology , Melanoma, Amelanotic , Neoplasm Invasiveness , NevusABSTRACT
We investigated the correlation between atherosclerosis and tissue and serum levels of endothelin-1 in patients with chronic kidney disease [CKD]. Arterial samples were obtained from 35 patients with CKD during arteriovenous fistula placement. Thirty-one patients with cardiovascular disease who underwent coronary artery bypass graft [CABG] were selected as the atherosclerotic group, and a piece of their aorta punched during CABG was obtained. Also, a small piece of the renal artery was dissected during donation in 24 kidney donors [control group]. Tissue endothelin-1 level was measured and atherosclerosis grading was determined by pathologic examination. Serum levels of endothelin-1 were also measured in the three groups. The mean tissue endothelin-1 levels were 10.73 +/- 7.57 pg/ mL, 12.16 +/- 3.95 pg/mL, and 0.93 +/- 1.06 pg/mL in the patients with CKD, those with CABG, and donors, respectively [P < .001]. The mean serum endothelin-1 level was 25.23 +/- 15.15 pg/mL in the patients with CKD, 21.13 +/- 17.22 pg/mL in the patients with CABG, and 2.66 +/- 1.51 pg/mL in the donors [P < .001]. Atherosclerosis grades correlated with tissue endothelin-1 level [r = 0.823, P < .001] and serum endothelin-1 level [r = 0.608, P < .001] in the patients with CKD. Multiple regression analysis showed tissue endothelin-1 level as the main predicting factor of atherosclerosis [P < .001]. Tissue endothelin-1 concentration is more important than serum endothelin-1 or lipids levels in prediction of atherosclerosis. Thus, blockade of tissue endothelin-1 receptors with its antagonists may prevent atherosclerosis progression