Cyclooxygenase-2 is an independent predictor of poor prognosis in uterine leiomyosarcomas

Chae Hyeong Lee, Ju Won Roh, Jong Sun Choi, Sokbom Kang, In Ae Park, Hyun Hoon Chung, Yong Tark Jeon, Jae Weon Kim, Noh Hyun Park, Soon Beom Kang, Yong Sang Song

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Introduction: Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is a well-known enzyme that promotes tumor growth and metastasis. Cyclooxygenase-2 is upregulated in a number of human epithelial tumors, but data about the significance of COX-2 in mesenchymal tumors are lacking. The purpose of this study was to determine COX-2 expression in uterine sarcomas and whether a relationship exists between COX-2 expression and clinicopathologic outcomes. Methods: Immunohistochemical staining for COX-2 was performed on paraffin-embedded tissue blocks of 49 uterine sarcomas (30 leiomyosarcomas, 14 endometrial stromal sarcomas, and 5 carcinosarcomas). Positive staining was defined as moderate or strong staining in 5% or more of tumor cells. Results: Four of 30 leiomyosarcomas, 1 of 14 endometrial stromal sarcomas, and 2 of 5 carcinosarcomas were positive for COX-2 expression. In leiomyosarcomas, COX-2 expression correlated with tumor stage with marginal significance (P = 0.058). Patients with leiomyosarcoma positive for COX-2 expression had a lower overall survival rate than those without COX-2 expression (P = 0.025). In the multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model, COX-2 expression, tumor stage, and mitotic count were independently associated with overall survival in leiomyosarcomas. Conclusions: Our data suggest that immunohistochemically determined COX-2 expression is an independent prognostic factor in uterine leiomyosarcomas. Assessment of COX-2 status might be useful for determining the prognosis in patients with uterine leiomyosarcomas.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)668-672
Number of pages5
JournalInternational Journal of Gynecological Cancer
Volume21
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2011

Keywords

  • Cyclooxygenase-2
  • Survival
  • Uterine leiomyosarcoma
  • Uterine sarcoma

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Cyclooxygenase-2 is an independent predictor of poor prognosis in uterine leiomyosarcomas'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this