Comparison of COX2 expression between oral squamous cell carcinoma, leukoplakia and normal mucosa

Abstract

Aim: To compare cyclooxygenase 2 expression (COX2-E) between normal, oral leukoplakia lesions and different grades of oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Materials and methods: Around 90 paraffin embedded blocks consisting of 45 SCC, 15 leukoplakia and 17 controls were selected for immunohistochemistry (IHC) for detection of COX2-E. COX2-E was divided in four grades, as A (0-10%), B (11-40%), C (41-70%) and D (> 70%) cellularity. Results: Mean age of the patients was 55.17 ± 18.41 (M:57.92 ± 16.87, F:52.19 ± 19.74). A significant difference was found in COX2 expression between SCC total and, basal and spinous layers of leukoplakia (p < 0.05). COX2-E in spinous layer of normal tissue was significantly lower than SCC (p = 0.000). COX2-E was significantly different in SCC grade 3 and leukoplakia (p = 0.001) and normal tissue (p = 0.000). COX2-E was significantly higher in SCC grade 3 compared to leukoplakia (basal layer) (p = 0.000). Conclusion: We showed a significant higher COX2-E in SCC lesions compared to leukoplakias and normal controls. In our study COX2-E was not significantly different in SCC grades 1, 2 and 3 (p > 0.05).