[Detection of EGFR and COX-2 expression by immunohistochemical method on a tissue microarray section in lung cancer and biological significance].
OBJECTIVE
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which can regulate growth, invasion and metastasis of tumor through relevant signaling pathway, have been detected in a variety of solid tumors. The aim of this study is to investigate the biological significance of EGFR and COX-2 expression in lung cancer and the relationship between them.


METHODS
The expression of EGFR and COX-2 was detected in 89 primary lung cancer tissues, 12 premalignant lesions, 12 lymph node metastases, and 10 normal lung tissues as the control by immunohistochemical method on a tissue microarray section.


RESULTS
EGFR protein was detectable in 59.6%, 41.7%, and 66.7% of primary lung cancer tissues, premalignant lesions and lymph node metastases, respectively; COX-2 protein was detectable in 52.8%, 41.7%, and 66.7% of primary lung cancer tissues, premalignant lesions and lymph node metastases, respectively, which were significantly higher than those of the control (P < 0.05). The positive ratios and the levels of the expression of EGFR and COX-2 proteins were closely related to histological type, clinical stage and lymph node metastasis of lung cancer (P < 0.05), but not to histological grade, sex and age (P > 0.05). COX-2 expression was related to gross type (P < 0.05). A highly positive correlation was observed between EGFR and COX-2 expression (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Overexpression of EGFR and COX-2 may play an important role in the tumorgenesis, progression and malignancy of lung cancer. Detection of EGFR and COX-2 expression might be helpful to diagnosis and prognosis of lung cancer.
Zhu
Congzhong
C
Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China.
Liu
Juan
J
Wang
Xinyun
X
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D046888:Tissue Array Analysis
D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D066246:ErbB Receptors