Expressions of COX-2 gene and protein in breast carcinoma and their significance

Objective:To investigate the expressions of COX-2 gene and protein in breast carcinoma and analyze their relationship with clinical factors. Methods:The expression of COX-2 gene and protein were detected on breast fibroadenoma(20 cases) and breast carcinomas(52 cases) by in situ hybridization and immunoshistochemisty(SP method). Results:The positive rates of COX-2 mRNA and protein were (20.0%,65.4%) and(15.0%,57.7%)in breast carcinoma and breast fibroadenoma respectively.The expression of COX-2 in two groups had statistical difference(P0.01). The expressions of COX-2 mRNA and protein had no statistical difference(P0.05). COX-2 mRNA expression was related to lymphatic metatasis and tunor size (P0.05),but not to age and histopathological grade(P0.05).COX-2 protein expression was related to lymphatic metatasis (P0.05), but not to age,tunor size and histopathological grade(P0.05). Conclusion:(1)Over-expression of COX-2 may play an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of breast carcinomas.(2)COX-2 expression is related to lymphatic metatasis,suggesting COX-2 as a molecular marker of breast carcinoma.