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Heterogeneity Mapping of Protein Expression in Tumors using Quantitative Immunofluorescence
Published on: October 25, 2011
Cyclooxygenase-2 and c-erbB-2 expression in uterine cervical neoplasm assessed using tissue microarrays
Jung Yeon Kim1, Sung Jig Lim, Kyeongmee Park
1Department of Pathology, Sanggye Paik Hospital, Inje University School of Medicine, 761-1 Sanggye 7-dong, Nowon-Gu, Seoul 139-707, South Korea. pck2973@unitel.co.kr
Objectives:
Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and c-erbB-2 are involved in the pathogenesis of solid organ tumors. Chemotherapeutic agents targeting COX-2 and c-erbB-2 are used to treat colon and breast cancers. This study evaluated the significance and relationship of COX-2 and c-erbB-2 protein expression in untreated uterine cervical neoplasm.
Methods:
This study included 332 patients with uterine cervical neoplasm. We constructed tissue microarray blocks that included two cores from each donor tumor and immunostained them with primary anti-cyclooxygenase-2 and anti-c-erbB-2 monoclonal antibodies. The clinical features and survival data were compared.
Results:
Three hundred and eighteen tumor samples (95.8%) could be interpreted after immunohistochemical staining. COX-2 protein expression was noted in 140 cases of uterine cervical neoplasm (44.0%): In 26.7% of the cervical intraepithelial neoplasia III (16/60 cases), 37.9% of the microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma (39/103 cases), 51.6% of the invasive squamous cell carcinoma (64/124 cases), and 76.2% of the adenocarcinomas (16/21 cases) (P < 0.005). By contrast, except for one case of adenoid cystic carcinoma, none of the uterine cervical neoplasm expressed c-erbB-2 protein. COX-2 protein expression correlated with histology (P < 0.005) and stage (P < 0.05), but was not associated with patient survival.
Conclusion:
COX-2 may participate in the progression of cervical squamous cell lesions, while the contribution of c-erbB-2 to cervical carcinogenesis is probably small.
Insights
Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein is expressed in 44% of cervical neoplasms, increasing with lesion severity. C-erbB-2 is rarely expressed, suggesting COX-2 plays a role in cervical cancer progression, not c-erbB-2.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Pathology
Background:
- Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and c-erbB-2 are implicated in solid organ tumor pathogenesis.
- Targeted therapies for COX-2 and c-erbB-2 exist for colon and breast cancers.
- Understanding their role in cervical neoplasia is crucial for potential therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression and significance of COX-2 and c-erbB-2 proteins in untreated uterine cervical neoplasm.
- To determine the relationship between COX-2 and c-erbB-2 expression and clinical features, including patient survival.
Main Methods:
- Tissue microarray blocks were constructed from 332 patients with uterine cervical neoplasm.
- Immunohistochemical staining was performed using monoclonal antibodies against COX-2 and c-erbB-2.
- Expression levels were correlated with histological type, stage, and patient survival data.
Main Results:
- COX-2 protein was expressed in 44% of cervical neoplasms, with significantly higher prevalence in invasive squamous cell carcinoma (51.6%) and adenocarcinomas (76.2%) compared to precursor lesions (P < 0.005).
- C-erbB-2 protein expression was rare, observed in only one case (adenoid cystic carcinoma).
- COX-2 expression correlated with histology and tumor stage (P < 0.05) but not with patient survival.
Conclusions:
- COX-2 protein expression is common in uterine cervical neoplasm and increases with lesion progression, suggesting a role in cervical squamous cell lesion development.
- The contribution of c-erbB-2 to cervical carcinogenesis appears minimal.
- Findings support COX-2 as a potential therapeutic target in cervical cancer, while c-erbB-2 is less likely to be relevant.