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Cyclo-oxygenase-2 over-expression in sporadic colorectal carcinoma without lymph node involvement
B Buecher1, M-F Heymann, A Lièvre
1Department of Gastroenterology CIC INSERM-U539, Hôtel-Dieu CHU, Nantes, France.
Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics
|September 27, 2003
Summary
Cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) over-expression in non-advanced colorectal cancers predicts a poorer prognosis. COX-2 status does not correlate with tumor features but indicates a higher risk of recurrence or death.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) over-expression is frequently observed in advanced colorectal cancers.
- The role of COX-2 in non-advanced colorectal cancer requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of COX-2 over-expression in non-advanced colorectal cancers.
- To investigate the association between COX-2 status and clinicopathological features and molecular phenotype.
- To assess the impact of COX-2 status on long-term clinical outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 61 patients with non-advanced colorectal cancer (no lymph node involvement).
- Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate COX-2 expression levels.
- Tumor replication error phenotype was assessed using microsatellite markers BAT-25 and BAT-26.
Main Results:
- COX-2 over-expression was detected in 36 out of 61 tumors.
- No significant correlation was found between COX-2 over-expression and clinicopathological features or molecular phenotype.
- COX-2 over-expression was an independent predictor of poor prognosis, with a 2.13-fold increased risk of recurrence or death (P=0.008).
Conclusions:
- COX-2 over-expression in non-advanced colorectal carcinoma is not linked to tumor phenotype.
- Elevated COX-2 levels are indicative of a poorer clinical outcome in these patients.