[The clinical significance of expression of cyclooxygenase-2 gene in breast cancer].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expressions of Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene and protein in breast cancer, and understand its clinical significance.


METHODS
Reverse transcription-PCR, immunohistochemistry were used to assess the expression of COX-2 in 30 cancerous tissues, paired tissues adjacent to breast cancers and 6 normal tissues far from neoplasm.


RESULTS
Strong expression of COX-2 mRNA was detected in 86% of breast cancers with range of 0 - 1.180 with reference to the expression of beta-actin gene, and increased expression in paired tissues adjacent to cancers with range of 0 - 0.652, but nearly no expression in normal tissues. There were significant difference expression of COX-2 mRNA between cancers and paired tissues adjacent to cancers or normal tissues. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that COX-2 were expressed in 80% malignant epithelial cells, and 58% of paired tissues adjacent to cancers, no expression in normal tissues.


CONCLUSIONS
Expressions of COX-2 gene and protein elevated not only in most human breast cancers, but also in paired tissues adjacent to cancers. Up-regulation of COX-2 is relatively early event in mammary carcinogenesis, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and selective COX-2 inhibitors may be useful in the chemoprevention and therapy of human breast cancer.
Guo
Gui-long
GL
Department of Oncologic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou 325000, China.
Yao
Zhen-xiang
ZX
Wu
Jian
J
D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology*; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis
D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D007527:Isoenzymes; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases