The relationship of COX-2 expression with estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and prognostic parameters in endometrial carcinomas.

Aim: Endometrial cancer (EC), which is the most common gynecologic cancer, develops as a result of disruption of the delicate balance between cell proliferation and cell loss, or apoptosis through activation of oncogenesis, or loss of tumor suppressor genes. Among the biochemical factors proposed to give a more detailed characterization of EC biology, estrogen receptors (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR) play a major role. Most of the studies in the literature have shown increased expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in EC. Recent experiments suggest that COX-2 antagonizes cell apoptosis, increases the invasiveness of malignant cells and promotes angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of COX-2 in EC, to study its correlation to established menstrual status, grade, myometrial invasion, lymph node status, stage and ER and PR status.

Material & Methods: The study was performed on 72 ECs. Immunohistochemically was analyzed for ER, PR, and COX-2.

Results: COX-2 positivity was found in 91.7% of the cases. In 61 cases (84.7%) there was ER positive staining, and in 59 cases (81.9%) PR positive staining was observed. We have not found a statistically significant relation between COX-2 and prognostic factors, ER and PR.

Conclusions: A high expression rate still suggests a probable relation with endometrial carcinogenesis. If such a relation exists, new therapeutic options might be available in the future.