Prognostic value of COX‐2 immunohistochemical expression evaluated by quantitative image analysis in colorectal cancer

Abstract

Epidemiological studies have shown that the inducible form of cyclooxygenase (COX-2) may be involved in colorectal carcinogenesis, but it is controversial whether its expression is a prognostic factor for colorectal cancer. The aim of the study was to examine the expression of COX-2 in colorectal cancer and investigate its prognostic relevance. Tissue sections of primary tumors from 132 patients undergoing curative resection for colorectal cancer were immunohistochemically examined for COX-2 expression. The levels of intensity and extent of COX-2 staining were quantified by use of a computerized image analysis system and correlated with various clinicopathological characteristics and survival. COX-2 immunoreactivity was observed in the cytoplasm of tumour epithelial cells of all colorectal cancer tissues examined. No significant correlation was found between levels of intensity and extent of COX-2 staining and various clinicopathological characteristics, including age, gender, tumor location, tumor size, tumor grade, depth of invasion, lymph node status and TNM stage. There was an inverse correlation between intensity and extent of COX-2 staining scores (Spearman's rho=-0.414; p<0.001). To analyze the prognostic value of intensity and extent of COX-2 staining, the patients were divided into four groups with respect to quartiles (< or =25; >25 to < or =50; >50 to < or =75; and >75). No significant disease-specific survival difference among the quartiles was found based on analysis of intensity (p=0.689) and extent (p=0.975) of COX-2 staining. These results suggest that the expression of COX-2 protein has no significant impact on the outcome of patients with colorectal cancer.

Association between expression of embryonic lethal abnormal vision‐like protein HuR and cyclooxygenase‐2 in oral squamous cell carcinoma

“…[22][23][24] Several previous studies have assessed levels of COX-2 in various resected cancer specimens, and levels of COX-2 have generally been correlated with certain clinicopathologic parameters, most notably highgrade, advanced-stage, and reduced survival; as a result, high COX-2 expression is correlated with poor survival. [25][26][27][28][29] COX-2 expression tends to be elevated in malignant versus benign ovarian tumors. 30,31 The COX-2 gene is regulated tightly at both the transcriptional and posttranscriptional level, and its inherent instability is determined principally by the 3 0 -untranslated region (3 0 -UTR).…”

Cyclooxygenase-2 Expression Is a Predictive Marker for Late Recurrence in Colorectal Cancer

“…Some studies have suggested that elevated COX-2 expression of CRC patients is related with reduced survival [ 15 , 21 ]. However, others found that the elevated expression of COX-2 protein had no significant impact on disease-specific survival and overall survival in CRC patients [ 22 , 23 ]. We observed no significant postrecurrence survival difference according to COX-2 expression status.…”

Clusterin/Apolipoprotein J immunolocalization on carotid artery is affected by TNF-alpha, cigarette smoking and anti-platelet treatment

“…Images were then analyzed with Image-Pro Plus 5.1 software (Media Cybernetics, SilverSpring, MD). The parameters measured by the image analysis program were the intensity of CLU staining in the atherosclerotic plaque and the extent of staining as well in relation to the total area [27]. Brown diaminobenzidine (DAB) staining, indicative of CLU expression, was distinguished from the blue hematoxylin counterstain with hue thresholds.…”