The expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in breast cancer tissues and its clinicopathological significance

Objective To investigate the expression of cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2)in breast cancer tissues,as well as the relationship between COX-2 and the clinicopathological features.Method The expression of COX-2 was detected in 60 cases of breast cancer tissues and 20 cases of breast normal tissues by using immunohistochemistry,and combined with clinicopathological information for analysis.Results The COX-2 expression rate was 65.0%(39/60)in breast cancer tissues and 10.0%(2/20)in breast normal tissues respectively.There was statistic difference between the two(P<0.01).The over expression of COX-2 was significantly correlated with TNM stages,lymphatic metastasis and the expression of epidermal growuth factor receptor-2(C-erbB-2)(P<0.05 or<0.01).Conclusion The expression of COX-2 in breast cancer tissues is significantly higher,which might play a fairly important role in tumorigenesis and progression of breast cancer. Key words: Epoxide hydrolases; Breast neoplasms; Gene expression