title: COX-2 expression in lobular in situ neoplasia of the breast: correlation with histopathological grading system according to the Tavassoli classification.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is considerable evidence to link cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 to the development of cancer. The aim of this study was to assess COX-2 expression and its subcellular localization in lobular in situ neoplasia (LIN) of the breast and to verify differences in COX-2 expression between different grades of lesions according to the Tavassoli classification.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We analysed the expression of COX-2 protein by immunohistochemistry in tissue samples of 51 LIN lesions classified into three grades according to the Tavassoli classification. COX-2 immunostaining was observed in 78.4% of LIN samples and showed a prevalent membranous rather than cytoplasmic pattern. COX-2 was expressed in 16/17 (94.1%) LIN1, 22/25 (88%) LIN2 and 2/9 (22.2%) LIN3. As regards COX-2 expression, a statistically significant difference was found between LIN1 and LIN3 (P = 0.001) and between LIN2 and LIN3 (P =0.001). No difference was found between LIN1 and LIN2. Moreover, a significant negative correlation was found between LIN grade and COX-2 expression (P < 0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  COX-2 is highly expressed in LIN, supporting a role for this protein in the early stage of breast carcinogenesis, representing the rationale for using COX-2 selective inhibitors in the earliest stages of breast cancer.
authors.affiliation: Surgical Pathology, Oncology Unit, University Campus Bio-Medico, La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy. g.perrone@unicampus.it
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Perrone
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zagami
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Santini
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vincenzi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gullotta
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Morini
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Battista
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Guerriero
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Altomare
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tonini
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rabitti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001940:Breast / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002285:Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D018299:Neoplasms, Ductal, Lobular, and Medullary / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2