Immunohistochemical analysis and correlation of cyclooxygenase-2 expression status with clinicopathological
Prerna Chadha1, Richa Ranjan1, Nikhilesh Kumar1
1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Command Hospital (Central Command), Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Context:
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) poses a major health problem and despite the advancements in its diagnosis and management the overall survival has not improved significantly. A search for newer diagnostic and prognostic markers along with fresh molecular targets is required for its prevention and cure.
Aims:
The study aims to study the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in HNSCCs and investigate its correlation with the clinicopathological profile of these cases. This study was performed to determine the significance of COX-2 expression in the Indian context.
Settings And Design:
This study incorporated 90 cases of HNSCCs; both prospectively and retrospectively in a tertiary care center.
Materials And Methods:
Expression of COX-2 on immunohistochemistry (IHC) was evaluated in correlation with the histological grade, maximum tumor size, tumor depth, nodal status and lymphovascular/perineural invasion (lvi/pni). The study received a waiver from the institutional ethics committee.
Statistical Analysis Used:
Statistical analysis of the data was done using SPSS software.
Results:
COX-2 expression was found in 97.8% of the cases. A statistically significant correlation of COX-2 immunopositivity was found with the histological grade, clinical staging (tumor size and nodal status), maximum tumor depth and lvi/pni in our study (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
COX-2 is expressed by most of the cases in this study. Its expression is related to tumor growth, differentiation and aggressiveness and therefore can be used as a good independent prognostic marker in HNSCCs. There is also possible scope of using it for targeted therapy in HNSCCs.
