Correlation between COX-2 expression and hormone receptors in invasive ductal breast cancer

Jung Ah Lee, Jeoung Won Bae, Sang Uk Woo, Hyunchul Kim, Chul Hwan Kim

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

COX-2 is known to be elevated in breast cancer, but the clinical relevance is still a matter of debate. The purpose of this study was to determine the prognostic significance and relationship of COX-2 to hormone receptors. Between January 2005 and February 2007, 80 specimens from breast cancer patients at Korea University Anam Hospital were reviewed by one pathologist. COX-2 was analyzed as overexpressed if <10% of the cells were stained. Clinical characteristics, hormone receptor status, and other prognostic factors were investigated to determine their association with COX-2 expression. Results: COX-2 was overexpressed in 12 patients (15%). Two patients had locoregional recurrence, eight patients had systemic metastasis, and one patient died. There was no statistically significant correlation between COX-2 expression and age, size, nodal status, histological grade, hormone receptor status, and HER-2/neu positivity. Among tumors that had a positive expression of ER and PR, COX-2 expression was related to larger size (P-value 0.001 and 0.009, respectively) and nodal status (P-value 0.048 and 0.009, respectively). However, there was no statistically significant correlation with tumors that had negative ER or PR expression. This study suggests that in breast cancer, COX-2 expression has no relationship with clinicopathologic factors; however, a correlation was noted in size and nodal status for ER- and PR-positive tumors. Further prospective study with larger population to clarify the relationship between COX-2 expression and hormone receptor status is necessary.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)140-148
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of the Korean Surgical Society
Volume78
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2010 Mar
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Breast cancer
  • Cyclooxygenase 2
  • Estrogen receptor
  • Progesterone receptor

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery

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