Expression of cyclooxygenase-1 in epithelial ovarian cancer: a clinicopathological study.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine immunohistochemical expression of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), and its association with clinical features and prognosis. METHODS: EOC patients treated in Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Medical College and Vajira Hospital during 1996-2003, and with available pathological tissue sections, were identified. Immunohistochemical staining was accomplished with antibodies to COX-1 and degree of expression was categorized into low and high for assessment of any. association with clinicopathological factors and survival. RESULTS: One-hundred and seven patients were included in the study, with a median age of 50 years. Most had stage I and III disease. The most common histologic subtype was serous carcinoma. Overall, we found COX-1 expression in 83.2 %. Non-mucinous lesions had significant higher levels of expression than mucinous tumors, but there was no link expression with other clinicopathological factors or survival. CONCLUSIONS: EOCs showed highexpression of COX-1, especially with a non-mucinous histology, but this appears to lack prognostic significance.