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  Discussion on Rearch Study: COX-2 inhibitors may help treat SCC
Author Message
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 10, 2007 - 12:11 pm:

In this study a correlation was found between the degree of aggressiveness and the presence of enzyme cyclooxygenase-2. Many of our newer NSAID's inhibit this enzyme and the study proposes inhibiting the enzyme might be therapeutic in some SCC's. Probably the best known would be naproxen but there is also now a COX-2 inhibitor approved for horses named EQUIOXX. Though the work is early it may be enough to recommend the use of these drugs following more traditional therapy to help prevent recurrence. For more on these drugs see Treatments and Medications for Horses » Anti-inflammatories (NSAID's, Steroids, Arthritis Rx).
DrO

J Vet Diagn Invest. 2007 Jul;19(4):436-9.

Cyclooxygenase-2 immunoreactivity in equine ocular squamous-cell carcinoma.

Rassnick KM, Njaa BL.
Department of Clinical Sciences, Box no\. 31, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine Ithaca, New York 14853\. kmr32@cornell.edu.

Squamous-cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common tumor in horses, and 40%-50% may occur in ocular and adnexal structures\. Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 is an inducible enzyme responsible for the production of prostaglandins that control cell growth and the development and progression of cancer\. Mechanisms responsible for the initial upregulation of COX-2 in neoplasia are unclear; prolonged sunlight exposure and mutations in the p53 gene may be possibilities\. Because the etiopathogenesis of ocular SCC in horses may involve ultraviolet sunlight and p53 mutations, the purpose of this study was to characterize the immunoreactivity of COX-2 in these tumors\. Cyclooxygenase-2 expression was found in 6 of 22 (27%) paraffin-embedded equine SCCs\. Cyclooxygenase-2 immunoreactivity was associated with the mitotic index (P < 0.001)\. Strategies to inhibit COX-2 by the use of topical or systemic COX-2 inhibitors might prove to be a safe and economical treatment in some horses with SCC.
New Member:
catchall

Posted on Friday, Jan 15, 2010 - 9:13 am:

My horse had SCC tumor removed (just below the rectum) surgically and is recooperating. However, the vet stated there is another tumor above the rectum and that SCC could be internal and that we might need to put the horse down some time in the near future. In all that I have read, I did not find cases where SCC spread internally. My horse is 12 and I am looking for alternative treatment. Can you provide recommendations?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Jan 15, 2010 - 11:32 am:

Hello Jeff,
The article on SCC carcinoma explains that it can spread to the regional lymph nodes but that is usually in advanced cases. Your best treatment plan is to have the other lesion surgically removed or follow one of the plans in the article. I find SCC fairly often and only rarely has it metastasized but do attend to the remaining lesion soon, for more see Diseases of Horses » Skin Diseases, Wounds, and Swellings » Bumps / Nodules / Warts / Tumors » Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
DrO
New Member:
catchall

Posted on Saturday, Jan 16, 2010 - 8:36 am:

Is there a blood test or way of knowing if the SCC has metastasized?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Jan 17, 2010 - 12:16 pm:

Carefully researching the location of the likely lymph nodes that drain the region of the tumors and palpating / ultrasounding them for enlargement is the only method I know of to monitor for metastasis.
DrO
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