Expressions of cyclooxygenase-2 and P-glycoprotein in epithelial ovarian carcinomas

Jung, Soo Kyoung; Kang, Jae Seong; Kim, In Sun

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to evaluate expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in ovarian epithelial carcinomas, to find out the correlations between their expression and clinicopathological parameters, and to evaluate the response to treatment and clinical outcome according to their expression.
METHODS
Immunohistochemical studies of COX-2 and P-gp were carried out in 64 cases that were treated with ovarian epithelial carcinomas at Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Korea University Hospital, Korea University from 1996 to 2005.
RESULTS
COX-2 over-expression was detected in 20 (31.2%) cases and was significantly higher in non-responder than responder to chemotherapy (56.2% versus 22.9%, respectively; P=0.012). The patients of COX-2 overexpression showed shorter overall survival (P<0.001). Over-expression of P-gp was detected in 15 (23.4%) cases was significantly higher in non-responder than responder to chemotherapy (56.2% versus 12.5%, respectively; P<0.001). The patients of P-gp overexpression showed shorter overall survival (P= 0.042).
CONCLUSION
COX-2 and P-gp overexpression could provide additional information to identify ovarian carcinoma patients with poor chance of response to chemotherapy.