COX-2 enzyme expression and its relation to p53-mutated in lip photocarcinogenesis

• Grant number: 08/05958-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2008
• End date: July 31, 2009
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry
• Principal Investigator: Marília Trierveiler Martins
• Grantee: Renata Helena Ferreira Caramez
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia (FO). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

It is known that DNA damage UV-induced that reach p53 tumor suppressor gene is definitive for the evolution of this type of carcinogenesis. Increase in COX-2 enzyme expression has been related to carcinogenesis, most likely for its anti-apoptotic effect hence its ability to promote invasion and metastasis. Important interactions between p53 protein and COX-2 enzyme have been demonstrated in in vitro and in vivo experiments. It is already known that p53 protein acts as physiologic regulator of the COX-2 expression. The present study aim to analyze, by means of immunohistochemistry double-staining, the presence of COX-2 and mutant p53, in cases of actinic cheilitis with different degrees of epithelial dysplasia (mild, moderate and intense), lip squamous cell carcinoma and also in lip vermillion normal epithelium. We believed that, once established the relationship between lip photocarcinogenesis and COX-2 expression, it is going to be possible to use drugs which are specific inhibitors of the enzyme to prevent carcinogenesis.