Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in Hodgkin's lymphoma: its role in cell proliferation and angiogenesis

Although many studies have revealed the association between cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and carcinogenesis, the association between COX-2 and Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) remains unknown. We examined the immunohistochemical expression of COX-2, p53, bcl-2, and Ki-67 in 33 patients with HL, and counted microvessels stained with CD34. Hodgkin and Reed - Sternberg (HRS) cells with COX-2 expression were scored as 0 = no staining; 1 = <25% of cells staining; 2 = 25-49%; 3 = 50-75%; and 4 = > or =75%. COX-2 expression was observed in 15 cases of classical HL. Nevertheless, neither accumulation of p53 nor bcl-2 expression was associated with COX-2 expression. The percentage of Ki-67 positive-HRS cells and microvessel density in COX-2 score groups 2-4 were significantly higher than those in score group 0, respectively. We show that COX-2 expression is associated with cell proliferation and angiogenesis in HL. These findings suggest that COX-2 may be a target for therapy in HL.