Cox-2 expression in ovarian malignancies: a review of the clinical aspects.
COX-2 is an inducible enzyme expressed only in response to stimuli such as mitogens, cytokines, growth factors or hormones, and is pro-inflammatory. It plays an important role in tumorigenesis. The purpose of the present report is to review the clinical aspects of COX-2 expression in ovarian malignancies. A PubMed (http://www.pubmed.gov/) search of investigations published from July 2001 until August 2008 and containing the term COX-2 in combination with ovarian malignancies was conducted. The clinical aspects of the relevant investigations were reviewed. COX-2 is expressed in ovarian tumors of low malignant potential (LMP), in epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) and primary peritoneal carcinoma (PPC) and apparently plays a role in their carcinogenesis. Its expression seems to be correlated with VEGF that serves as a predictor of poor prognosis in some non-gynecologic malignancies. COX-2 expression is higher in EOC than in LMPs. The results with regard to the association between COX-2 expression and prognostic factors, response to treatment and outcome in ovarian malignancies are inconsistent. Clinical studies dealing with the effect of COX-2 inhibitors on outcome are scarce. The use of COX-2 expression in gynecological malignancies in clinical practice remains to be elucidated.
Menczer
Joseph
J
Gynecologic Oncology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, E Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel. joseph12@internet-zahav.net
D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000502:physiology*; D006106:Granulosa Cell Tumor / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009375:Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D011379:Prognosis; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism
D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2