Comparison of COX₂ expression in radiation induced basal cell carcinoma and non-radiation induced basal cell carcinoma

Abstract

<strong>Background:</strong> Radiation-induced basal cell carcinoma (BCC) can be multiple, large, and recurring, which complicates its treatment in some cases. According to reports on the role of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX₂) inhibitors in the treatment or prevention of non-melanoma skin cancers and considering the fact that COX₂ expression has not been evaluated in radiation-induced basal cell carcinoma, we<br />set out to assess the expression of COX₂ in these lesions.<br /> <strong>Methods:</strong> In this study, COX₂ expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry using anti-COX₂ antibody on paraffinembedded blocks of 86 patients referred to Emam Reza Hospital<br />in Mashhad with BCC diagnosis by pathological examination (43 patients with and 43 without a history of radiotherapy) followed by semi-quantitative evaluation of COX₂.<br /> <strong>Results:</strong> In our study, COX₂ expression score was significantly higher in patients with a history of radiotherapy than those without radiotherapy (P<0.001). No correlation was found between the<br />intensity and percentage of staining with sex, age, site of lesion, recurrence, and pathology of the tumor.<br /> <strong>Conclusion:</strong> Given the higher expression level of COX₂ in the radiation-induced BCC patients, the use of COX₂ inhibitors in these individuals may be effective in the incidence, recurrence, or treatment of BCC.