Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in epithelial ovarian carcinoma and its significance

Objective:To investigate the expression of cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) in epithelial ovarian carcinoma and its clinical significance.Methods:The expression of COX-2 mRNA was detected by RT-PCR in 32 cases of epithelial ovarian carcinoma,10 cases of benign ovarian tumors and 10 cases of normal ovarian tissues.The correlation of COX-2 expression to the clinicopathological parameters and chemotherapy resistance were analyzed.Multivariate Cox analysis on prognostic factors was performed.Results:The expression of COX-2 mRNA(68.8%) in epithelial ovarian carcinoma was statistically higher than that in the benign ovarian tumors(0%) and the normal ovarian tissues(0%,P0.05).There was a significant correlation between COX-2 mRNA expression and lymphatic metastasis and the diameter of residual tumor(P0.05).But COX-2 mRNA transcription had no association with the clinical stages,histological grades,ascites occurrence(P0.05).The difference was significant in COX-2 mRNA transcription between the drug sensitive group and the chemoresistant group(P0.05).According to Multivariate Cox survival analysis,COX-2 expression,lymphatic metastasis,and the diameter of residual tumor were independent risk factors for predicting the prognosis of epithelial ovarian carcinoma(P0.05).Conclusion:COX-2 plays an important role in the oncogenesis,development,metastasis,and chemoresistance of epithelial ovarian carcinoma.The expression of COX-2 is an independent risk factor for predicting the prognosis of patients.