Relationship between COX-2 Expression and Clinicopathologic Data of GB Cancer / 한국간담췌외과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Gallbladder carcinoma has been associated with a dismal overall prognosis. Tumorigenesis of gallbladder carcinoma is complex and not completely understood. An association of gallbladder carcinoma with cholelithiasis or an anom alous arrangement of the panceraticobiliary duct suggests that long-term inflammation may modulate tumorigenesis and progression of carcinoma. COX-2 is a rate limiting enzyme of PG synthesis and related to chronic inflammation. Several report suggested the close relationship between and COX-2 and GB cancer. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical records of sixty-two patients with GB cancer who had undergone operation from January, 1990 to December, 1999 at Hanyang University Hospital. COX-2 expression of GB cancer were evaluated with im\munohistochemical staining and expression intensity was graded on a scale of 0-2 RESULTS: There were 62 patients, whose mean age was 52.5 years. The ages ranged from 28 years to 84 years. There were 27 male patients and 35 female patients. Generally, COX-2 expression was found in chronic inflammatory area and its level increased in dysplastic area and mucosal tumor. stromal tumor showed relatively weaker COX-2 expression level. COX-2 expression is related to depth of tumor invasion, lymph node metastasis, stage (TNM, Nevin) in a negative way. CONCLUSION: Early stage of GB cancer shows relatively increased level of COX-2. Its increased level means COX-2 can modulate early stage of GB cancer carcinogenesis. COX- 2 inhibitor, cancer chemopreventive agent in colon cancer, can be regarded as same one in GB cancer.