Significance of COX-2 expression in human renal cell carcinoma

• Published in: Urology (Ridgewood, N.J.) N.J.), 2004-12, Vol.64 (6), p.1116-1120
• Main Authors: Tuna, Burcin, Yorukoglu, Kutsal, Gurel, Duygu, Mungan, Ugur, Kirkali, Ziya
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Carcinoma, Renal Cell - enzymology; Carcinoma, Renal Cell - pathology; Cyclooxygenase 2; Female; Humans; Kidney Neoplasms - enzymology; Kidney Neoplasms - pathology; Kidneys; Male; Medical sciences; Membrane Proteins; Middle Aged; Nephrology. Urinary tract diseases; Prognosis; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases - metabolism; Tumors of the urinary system
• ISSN: 0090-4295; 1527-9995
• DOI: 10.1016/j.urology.2004.07.023

To evaluate the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and its association with clinicopathologic parameters, and to investigate the relationships between COX-2 expression and inflammation and carcinogenesis in human renal cell carcinoma. COX-2 expression is associated with aggressive clinicopathologic parameters and an unfavorable prognosis in several human malignancies. COX-2 expression was examined immunohistochemically in tumor tissues obtained from 71 patients who underwent radical nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma. The correlation between COX-2 expression and clinicopathologic findings and patient survival was determined. Of 71 tumors, 63.4% were positive for COX-2 expression. Correlation was found between COX-2 expression and various clinicopathologic features, including tumor size, tumor stage, and tumor grade ( P = 0.038, P = 0.004, and P = 0.004, respectively). We found no relationship between COX-2 expression and patient survival. However, the immunoreactivity of COX-2 in renal cell carcinoma and peritumoral areas with inflammation was greater than in areas without inflammation. A statistically significant correlation was found between COX-2 expression and the tubules associated with inflammation ( P = 0.038). COX-2 expression in patients with renal cell carcinoma is associated with several clinicopathologic features. COX-2 expression seems to play a role in the inflammation-carcinoma sequence in renal cell carcinoma. Additional research is required to determine the link between carcinogenesis and inflammation in renal cell carcinoma.