Comparative expression of cyclooxygenase 2 and Ki67 in amelanotic and conventional oral melanoma

Author(s)

Soares, Ciro Dantas ^[1] ; Hernandez-Guerrero, Juan Carlos ^[2] ; Benevenuto de Andrade, Bruno Augusto ^[1] ; Romanach, Mario Jose ^[3] ; Mosqueda-Taylor, Adalberto ^[4] ; Carlos, Roman ^[5] ; Soares Macedo, Madja Ruanna ^[6] ; de Almeida, Oslei Paes ^[1] ; Jorge, Jacks ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Campinas, Dept Oral Diag, Piracicaba Dent Sch, Ave Limeira 901, BR-13414903 Piracicaba, SP - Brazil

^[2] Natl Univ Autonomous Mexico, Immunol Lab, Fac Dent, Mexico City, DF - Mexico

^[3] Fed Univ Rio de Janeiro UFRJ, Sch Dent, Oral Pathol, Rio De Janeiro - Brazil

^[4] Univ Autonoma Metropolitana, Hlth Care Dept, Xochimilco - Mexico

^[5] Hosp Herrera Llerandi, Ctr Clin Cabeza & Cuello, Pathol Div, Guatemala City - Guatemala

^[6] Univ Fed Rio Grande do Norte, Dept Nursing, Natal, RN - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: MEDICINA ORAL PATOLOGIA ORAL Y CIRUGIA BUCAL; v. 25, n. 6, p. E728-E731, NOV 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Background: Oral melanomas have some histopathological resemblance with its cutaneous counterpart; however, an aggressive behavior is more common in tumors that occur in the oral cavity. Several markers have been suggested as indicative of tumoral progression and aggressiveness, such as cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) and Ki67. Material and Methods: In this study, we have compared the expression of COX-2 and Ki67 in a series of amelanotic (n=7) and melanotic oral melanomas (n=22). The cases were selected from 4 pathology laboratories and submitted to the immunohistochemical (IHC) reactions. We analyzed the IHC staining based on a qualitative - using visual scores; and a computer-assisted method (quantitative) using scanned slides and software for digital analysis. Results: COX-2 was expressed in all oral melanomas; however, its intensity was significantly higher in the amelanotic ones (P<0.001). Similarly, a high Ki67-positivity index was observed in the amelanotic than melanotic ones (P<0.001). Conclusions: Based on these results, we suggest that amelanotic oral melanomas have marked pro-inflammatory and high-proliferative phenotype, justifying their more aggressive behavior compared with the melanotic ones. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/25905-1 - Akt, COX-2, RUNX1 and MMPs expression in metastatic melanomas and Biotechnology prospection of molecules with antineoplastic activity
• Grantee: Ciro Dantas Soares
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate