open access

Vol 85, No 5 (2014)
ARTICLES
Get Citation

COX-2 expression pattern is related to ovarian cancer differentiation and prognosis, but is not consistent with new model of pathogenesis

Magdalena Magnowska, Mikołaj Zaborowski, Ewa Nowak-Markwitz, Marek Spaczyński, Paweł Surowiak, Maciej Zabel
DOI: 10.17772/gp/1733
·
Ginekol Pol 2014;85(5).

open access

Vol 85, No 5 (2014)
ARTICLES

Abstract

Objective: Numerous studies suggest that cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is overexpressed in cancer. Our objective was to investigate the relationship between COX-2 expression in ovarian carcinoma and clinicopathological factors. An emphasis was put on the association with the new pattern of tumorigenesis that divides tumors into type I – less aggressive, and type II – more aggressive one. The prognostic significance of COX-2 expression was evaluated. Methods: Ovarian cancer tissues were obtained from 65 patients in FIGO III stage (23 with type I and 42 with type II ovarian cancer). COX-2 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The statistical analysis was performed in order to assess the connection between COX-2 expression and characteristic factors of ovarian cancer patients as well as the new division for type I and type II ovarian cancer. Results: COX-2 expression was detected in 91% of tissue samples. It was markedly elevated in well differentiated tumors (p=0.0041). The platinum - resistant tumors had significantly higher expression of COX-2 (p=0.0337). There was no difference between COX-2 expression in type I and type II ovarian cancer (p=0.6720). The COX-2 staining was not associated to age, CA125 level, the presence of ascites or any special histological type. An increased expression of COX-2 was an unfavorable prognostic factor for overall survival (p=0.0369) and progression-free survival (p=0.0218). Multivariate analysis confirmed that COX-2 overexpression is an independent unfavorable prognostic factor of shorter progression-free survival (p=0.048). Conclusions: COX-2 expression is an unfavorable prognostic factor for progression-free survival and overall survival in ovarian cancer. There is no relationship between COX-2 expression in ovarian cancer tissue and the examined model of ovarian cancer pathogenesis.

Abstract

Objective: Numerous studies suggest that cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is overexpressed in cancer. Our objective was to investigate the relationship between COX-2 expression in ovarian carcinoma and clinicopathological factors. An emphasis was put on the association with the new pattern of tumorigenesis that divides tumors into type I – less aggressive, and type II – more aggressive one. The prognostic significance of COX-2 expression was evaluated. Methods: Ovarian cancer tissues were obtained from 65 patients in FIGO III stage (23 with type I and 42 with type II ovarian cancer). COX-2 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The statistical analysis was performed in order to assess the connection between COX-2 expression and characteristic factors of ovarian cancer patients as well as the new division for type I and type II ovarian cancer. Results: COX-2 expression was detected in 91% of tissue samples. It was markedly elevated in well differentiated tumors (p=0.0041). The platinum - resistant tumors had significantly higher expression of COX-2 (p=0.0337). There was no difference between COX-2 expression in type I and type II ovarian cancer (p=0.6720). The COX-2 staining was not associated to age, CA125 level, the presence of ascites or any special histological type. An increased expression of COX-2 was an unfavorable prognostic factor for overall survival (p=0.0369) and progression-free survival (p=0.0218). Multivariate analysis confirmed that COX-2 overexpression is an independent unfavorable prognostic factor of shorter progression-free survival (p=0.048). Conclusions: COX-2 expression is an unfavorable prognostic factor for progression-free survival and overall survival in ovarian cancer. There is no relationship between COX-2 expression in ovarian cancer tissue and the examined model of ovarian cancer pathogenesis.
Get Citation

Keywords

ovarian cancer, pathogenesis, COX-2, immunohistochemistry

About this article
Title

COX-2 expression pattern is related to ovarian cancer differentiation and prognosis, but is not consistent with new model of pathogenesis

Journal

Ginekologia Polska

Issue

Vol 85, No 5 (2014)

Page views

701

Article views/downloads

866

DOI

10.17772/gp/1733

Bibliographic record

Ginekol Pol 2014;85(5).

Keywords

ovarian cancer
pathogenesis
COX-2
immunohistochemistry

Authors

Magdalena Magnowska
Mikołaj Zaborowski
Ewa Nowak-Markwitz
Marek Spaczyński
Paweł Surowiak
Maciej Zabel

Regulations

Important: This website uses cookies. More >>

The cookies allow us to identify your computer and find out details about your last visit. They remembering whether you've visited the site before, so that you remain logged in - or to help us work out how many new website visitors we get each month. Most internet browsers accept cookies automatically, but you can change the settings of your browser to erase cookies or prevent automatic acceptance if you prefer.

By VM Media Group sp. z o.o., ul. Świętokrzyska 73, 80–180 Gdańsk
tel.:+48 58 320 94 94, faks:+48 58 320 94 60, e-mail:  viamedica@viamedica.pl