Original Study

Low COX2 in tumor and upregulation in stroma mark laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma progression

  1. Konstantinos Kourelis MD, MSc1,2,*,
  2. Gerasimos Vandoros MD3,
  3. Theodoros Kourelis MD4,
  4. Theodoros Papadas MD, PhD2,
  5. Panos Goumas MD, DDS2,
  6. Georgia Sotiropoulou-Bonikou MD, PhD1

Article first published online: 24 JUN 2009

DOI: 10.1002/lary.20569

Issue

The Laryngoscope

The Laryngoscope

Volume 119, Issue 9, pages 1723–1729, September 2009

Additional Information

How to Cite

Kourelis, K., Vandoros, G., Kourelis, T., Papadas, T., Goumas, P. and Sotiropoulou-Bonikou, G. (2009), Low COX2 in tumor and upregulation in stroma mark laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma progression. The Laryngoscope, 119: 1723–1729. doi: 10.1002/lary.20569

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Anatomy, Medical School of Patras, Rio, Greece

  2. 2

    Department of Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital of Patras, Rio, Greece

  3. 3

    Department of Pathology, St. Endrew's District Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece

  4. 4

    Department of Medical Oncology, “Olympion” General Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece

*36 Riga Fereou St., Postal Code 26221, Patras, Greece

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 27 AUG 2009
  2. Article first published online: 24 JUN 2009
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 5 MAY 2009

Funded by

  • Medical School of Patras, Greece

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Keywords:

  • Larynx;
  • cancer progression;
  • stroma;
  • myofibroblast;
  • cyclooxygenase-2

Abstract

Objectives/Hypothesis:

Invasive squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) of the larynx, like most solid tumors, are surrounded by a reactive stroma, in which cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the predominant cell type. This mesenchymal reaction may affect cancer progression multiply. The proinflammatory enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) has been correlated with head and neck cancer. This study aims to explore the impact of epithelial and stromal COX-2 expression on SCC behavior.

Study Design:

Retrospective case review study performed in a tertiary health center institution.

Methods:

Double immunohistochemistry of COX-2 and the CAF marker α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was utilized in 97 laryngeal cancer patients. Follow-up data were collected in 52 cases.

Results:

Low COX-2 immunostaining in cancer cells was associated with advanced grade (P = .044) and shorter recurrence-free period (P = .035). CAF expression was positively correlated with the grade of the infiltrating tumor (P = .030).

Conclusions:

In laryngeal SCCs, COX-2 may exert its deleterious effect by alterations in the tumor microenvironment. CAF-derived, COX-2-mediated paracrine influences on malignant cells possibly facilitate cancer progression. Overlooking the stromal remodeling could account for unsuccessful treatments of epithelial neoplasms. Laryngoscope, 2009

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