Expression of COX-2 and its clinical significance in non-small cell lung cancer

Objective To explore the expression of COX-2 in non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) and its relationship with patient's clinical characteristics and prognosis.Methods Expression of COX-2 protein was detected in 56 cases of NSCLC tissues and 56 cases of paracancerous tissues by immunohistochemistry assay.Results (1) Expression of COX-2 was detected in a significantly greater proportion of NSCLC tissues(62.5%) than that of paracancerous tissues(12.5%)(P0.01).(2) Expression of COX-2 was higher in lung adenocarcinoma than that in squamous carcinoma(P0.01),which increased with the tumor enlargement, lymphnode metastasis and advancing of TNM stage(P0.05).(3) In COX-2 positive group, the 5-year survival rate and a median survival time were 10.71% and 21 months,which however were 35% and 39 months respectively in negative group(P0.01).Conclusion Increased expression of COX-2 may be closely related to the occurrence and development of NSCLC,and is one of the factors predicting the worse prognosis of NSCLC.