Elevated expression of cyclooxygenase-2 is a negative prognostic factor for overall survival in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.
The production of prostaglandins is regulated by cyclooxygenases (COXs), which also have a role in tumour development and progression in various human malignancies, including cholangiocarcinoma. Limited information is available of the correlation of COX-2 protein expression and prognosis in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). The aim of the present study was to determine the clinical significance of COX-2 expression in ICC. In addition the correlation of COX-2 expression and apoptosis/proliferation was analysed. COX-2 expression was determined immunohistochemically in 62 resected ICCs. Proliferation was assessed using Ki67-immunohistochemistry, and apoptosis was measured with the TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end-labelling technique. COX-2 was identified as an independent prognostic factor (P = 0.028) in resected ICC by survival analysis. High levels of COX-2 expression were found to be associated both with reduced apoptosis and increased proliferation of tumour cells. This study demonstrates the independent prognostic value of the COX-2 expression in resected ICC, thus, offering a potential additional adjuvant therapeutic approach with COX-2 inhibitors.
Schmitz
Klaus Jürgen
KJ
Institute of Pathology and Neuropathology, University Hospital of Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147 Essen, Germany.
Lang
Hauke
H
Wohlschlaeger
Jeremias
J
Reis
Henning
H
Sotiropoulos
Georgios Charalambos
GC
Schmid
Kurt Werner
KW
Baba
Hideo Andreas
HA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017209:Apoptosis; D001650:Bile Duct Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D001653:Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D018281:Cholangiocarcinoma / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000032:analysis* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis
D008565:Membrane Proteins; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human