Stains & CD markers
Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2)
Copyright: 2003-2025, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.
PubMed Search: Cox2[title] "loattrfree full text"[sb]
Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2)
Author: Nat Pernick, M.D.
Last author update: 1 October 2013
Last staff update: 21 June 2021
Copyright: 2003-2025, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.
PubMed Search: Cox2[title] "loattrfree full text"[sb]
Table of Contents
Definition / general | Interpretation | Positive staining - normal | Positive staining - diseaseCite this page: Pernick N. Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2). PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/stainscyclooxygenase2.html. Accessed April 2nd, 2025.
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
