Stains & CD markers
Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2)


Last author update: 1 October 2013
Last staff update: 21 June 2021

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PubMed Search: Cox2[title] "loattrfree full text"[sb]

Nat Pernick, M.D.
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Cite this page: Pernick N. Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2). PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/stainscyclooxygenase2.html. Accessed April 18th, 2024.
Definition / general
  • Not related to Cytochrome c oxidase (COX)
  • Cyclooxygenases 1 (COX1) and 2 (COX2), also known as prostaglandin H synthase, catalyze formation of prostaglandin from arachidonic acid
  • COX1 is constitutive form of enzyme on 9q; COX2 is inducible isoform on 1q, has 61% sequence homology with COX1
  • Regulated by mitogens, tumor promoters, cytokines, serum, free fatty acids, NSAIDs, selective COX2 inhibitors
  • Increased expression associated with poor clinical outcome in stage I/II non-small cell lung carcinoma (Arch Pathol Lab Med 2005;129:1113), possibly poorer outcome in follicular thyroid carcinoma (Arch Pathol Lab Med 2005;129:736)
Interpretation
  • Cytoplasmic staining
Positive staining - normal
  • Endothelial cells
Positive staining - disease
  • Breast, colorectal, esophageal, liver, lung, ovary, pancreas, prostate, skin, stomach tumors
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