Central Giant Cell Lesion is an uncommon benign jaw lesion, with uncertain etiology, and a variable clinical behavior. Studies of molecular markers of CGCL, may help understanding better the nature and behavior of this lesion, and eventually may represent a definitive target to pharmacological approach in the treatment of CGCL. Chronic inflammation has been found to mediate a wide variety of diseases including neoplasms. Among the gene products involved in the induction of the inflammatory process, Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) has been shown to have a close relationship with carcinogenesis. The aim of the study was to investigate the expression of COX-2 in CGCL.

Study design: Immunohistochemical assessment for COX-2 expression was performed in 18 patients previously diagnosed with CGCL. Multinucleated giant cells (MGC) and mononucleated stromal cells (MSC) were separately used in the slide analysis.

Results: Among the patients studied, 10 were male and 8 were female, with a median age of 15.4 years. Lesions in the mandible were observed in 11 cases and 7 were found in the maxilla. There were 9 aggressive and 9 non-aggressive CGCLs. COX-2 immunopositivity was present in only 3 cases stained in both MGC and MSC. All 3 cases presented with ulcerations in the mucosa lesion, suggesting that the COX-2 expression is due to the presence of inflammation.

Conclusion: This study does not support the involvement of COX-2 in the etiophatogenesis of CGCL.

Conflict of interest: None declared.