Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in the oral mucosa following cancer chemotherapy

Oral Oncol. 2007 Apr;43(4):395-401. doi: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2006.04.011. Epub 2006 Sep 18.

Abstract

Oral mucositis is a serious and debilitating side effect of cancer treatment. Greater understanding of the pathobiology of mucositis has recently led to the advent of targeted treatments for specific patient populations; however the treatment for mucositis remains palliative for most patients. Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) are thought to play important roles in the development of mucositis. In this study, 20 patients undergoing cytotoxic chemotherapy had oral mucosal biopsies taken prior to and following administration of cytotoxic chemotherapy. The samples were stained for NF-kappaB and COX-2 using routine immunohistochemistry. The results from this preliminary study demonstrated statistically significant increased oral mucosal staining for NF-kappaB and COX-2 following cytotoxic chemotherapy and provide further support for the role of NF-kappaB and COX-2 in the pathogenesis of mucositis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 / biosynthesis*
  • Female
  • Hodgkin Disease / drug therapy
  • Hodgkin Disease / pathology
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Lung Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / drug therapy
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mouth Mucosa / drug effects*
  • Mouth Mucosa / metabolism
  • Mouth Mucosa / pathology
  • NF-kappa B / biosynthesis*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Pilot Projects

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • NF-kappa B
  • Cyclooxygenase 2