Significance of COX-2 expression in human renal cell carcinoma.

Objectives: 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.

Methods: 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.

Results: 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).

Conclusions: 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.