Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in association with clinicopathological prognostic factors and molecular markers in epithelial ovarian cancer.
OBJECTIVE
This study examines whether expression of COX-2 is associated with clinicopathological features and other molecular markers of ovarian cancer.


METHODS
Sixty-four paraffin-embedded tissue specimens were obtained from patients with ovarian cancer who received cytoreductive surgery and combination chemotherapy. Tissue specimens were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis using antibodies to COX-2, p53, and VEGF.


RESULTS
Increased COX-2 expression significantly correlated with histologic type (mucinous 5.6% vs. non-mucinous 65.2%, P<0.001). COX-2 expression was also significantly associated with stage, tumor grade, residual disease status, and presence of ascites. COX-2 expression correlated positively with expression of p53 (P=0.006) and VEGF (P=0.025). Although survival was lower in patients with high COX-2 expression than in those without high COX-2 expression (P<0.001), only tumor grade and stage were independent prognostic indicators. In patients with non-mucinous cancer, COX-2 expression correlated with stage (P<0.001) and presence of ascites (P=0.033).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that expression of COX-2 in ovarian cancers is specific to histologic type of tumor and is associated with poor clinicopathologic prognostic factors. Expression of COX-2 also correlates well with expression of p53 and VEGF.
Center for Uterine Cancer, National Cancer Center, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, 411-351, South Korea. ssseomd@ncc.re.kr
Sang Soo
SS
Seo
Yong Sang
YS
Song
Dae-hee
DH
Kang
In Ae
IA
Park
Yung Jue
YJ
Bang
Soon Beom
SB
Kang
Hyo Pyo
HP
Lee
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology*; D016612:Paraffin Embedding; D011379:Prognosis; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015996:Survival Rate; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000096:biosynthesis
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D007527:Isoenzymes; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases