• U Adiguzel, T Karabacak, A Sari, O Oz, and L Cinel.
• Department of Ophthalmology, Mersin University School of Medicine, Mersin, Turkey. adiguzelu@yahoo.com
• Eur J Ophthalmol. 2007 Nov 1; 17 (6): 879-84.

PurposePterygium is a proliferative, inflammatory, and invasive ocular surface disease associated with excessive ultraviolet radiation exposure and has several tumor-like characteristics. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is an inducible enzyme and recently increased expression of the enzyme was found in many cancers and premalign lesions. This study was conducted to identify the COX-2 expression in pterygium tissues.MethodsImmunohistochemical staining using a primary antibody for COX-2 was performed on 30 specimens with primary pterygium (20 pterygium without recurrence and 10 pterygium which recurred during a 12-month follow-up), 11 specimens with recurrent pterygium, and 8 specimens of conjunctival tumor. As a control we used 10 specimens of normal conjunctiva. Extent and intensity of cytoplasmic and membranous staining in epithelial cells were evaluated.ResultsHigher expression of COX-2 was detected in conjunctival tumor (87.5%) specimens and recurrent pterygium specimens (72.7%) compared to the both normal conjunctiva (30%) and primary pterygium without recurrence (30%). COX-2 expression in primary pterygium tissues with recurrence (60%) was not different from primary pterygium without recurrence (p=0.114) and recurrent pterygium (p=0.537). However, recurrent pterygium tissues were found to express higher COX-2 than primary pterygium without recurrence (p=0.022).ConclusionsCOX-2 expression is increased in recurrent pterygium tissues and COX-2 expression may be a marker for the prediction of recurrence.

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