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Background and Objective: The primary goal of this study is to develop a rigorous understanding of the correlation between COX-2 expression and malignant melanoma prognostic factors. Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed 60 cases of cutaneous malignant melanoma. The related stained slides were reviewed by two pathologists. The results were interpreted according to the COX2 staining index (SI), tumor thickness (Breslow, Clark), number of mitoses per 10 hpf, and melanoma types. Gender, lymph node involvement, metastasis, and survival were considered as evaluation factors as well. Results: The expression of the COX-2 protein was evident in 98.4% of cases. A strong Staining Index(SI) was reported in 60% of all melanomas, moderate staining was detected in 20.8% and weak staining in 10%; 1.6% of studied cases showed no staining. Benign nevus specimens showed no staining for the COX-2 enzyme. Conclusion: We have demonstrated that COX-2 is strongly expressed in the majority of malignant melanomas and that the SI score of COX-2 is related to the number of mitoses, tumor thickness (based on Clark level and Breslow), melanoma sub-type, lymph node involvement, and metastases; No association was noted between the anatomic site, gender, and survival. COX-2 can be applied as a prognostic factor in malignant melanoma and a promising candidate for future target therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Objective: The histologic distinction of small cell from non-small cell lung carcinoma and correct identification of all subtype s of lung carcinoma are very important in treatment management. The main method for histologic classification of lung tumors is based on morphology. However, in small bronchoscopic biopsies in particular, distinction is very difficult upon morphology alone. The current study aimed at evaluating the utility of a panel of antibodies, consisting of thyroid transcription factor (TTF-1), P63, high molecular weight keratin [HMWK (34βE12)], cytokeratin (CK7), and cluster of differentiation (CD56) for accurate distinction of bronchogenic carcinomas., Methods: Bronchoscopic biopsies of 60 lung carcinoma cases including 20 small cell carcinomas, 20 adenocarcinomas, and 20 squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) with typical morphologic features were selected. All these cases were immunohistochemically stained for TTF-1, P63, HMWK (34βE12), CK7, and CD56. All immunostained slides were scored as either positive or negative., Results: The mean age of the patients was 60 years; ranged from 35 to 81. Sixteen patients were female and 44 were male. All adenocarcinomas were positive for CK7 and most of them (18/20; 90%) were positive for TTF-1. Most of small cell lung carcinomas were positive for TTF-1 (17/20; 85%), and CD56 (18/20; 90%). All squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) were negative for TTF-1, but most of them were positive for HMWK (34βE12) and P63., Conclusion: The obtained data showed that TTF-1, P63, CK7, CD56 and/or 34βE12 represent a useful panel of antibodies to identify lung carcinoma subtypes in small bronchoscopic biopsies., Competing Interests: The authors declared no conflict of interest.